New Celtics point guard Mike Conley, a guy who’s seen just about everything in his almost two decades in the league, just dropped some serious expectations for superstar Jayson Tatum, telling reporters he thinks Tatum is ready to make a massive jump. Conley, who turns 39 in just a few weeks and is almost a year older than Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, brings a ton of winning experience to the Auerbach Center.
The Veteran’s Eye: Tatum’s Leadership and Growth
Conley didn’t hold back his praise during Celtics training camp, sharing his insights on Wednesday morning. He’s always seen Tatum as one of the best players out there, even from the outside. But now, getting to know him up close, Conley sees something more. He said Tatum is “really coming into his own as a leader” and is a “guy that’s ready to make a jump, I think, after the last couple years of injury and things like that.” This isn’t just casual talk, either. With former Celtics star Jaylen Brown now a Philadelphia 76er after a blockbuster summer trade, Boston is absolutely relying on Tatum more than ever. They’ve built a strong roster around him, sure, but the reality is they might only go as far as Tatum can take them. Conley put it plainly, “He has a lot to prove, and he’s out there trying to prove it. So, I’m excited for him and his growth.”
Tatum’s Comeback: Stronger, More Explosive
It’s easy to forget Tatum isn’t even two years removed from rupturing his Achilles. That’s a brutal injury. But he just got to enjoy one of the longest offseasons of his entire basketball life. That extended summer gave him plenty of time to really focus on his body and get ready for a bigger workload, more minutes, and higher usage this season. Tatum himself sounded pumped during Media Day on Monday. He said, “I feel great having this offseason to get stronger, get more explosive. We’re just working my body in totality. So, obviously, I feel much better than I did this time last year, and I’m excited and thankful for that.” That confidence is exactly what Boston needs to hear heading into what’s shaping up to be an improved Eastern Conference.
As for Conley, who’s about to hit his twentieth year in the NBA, his plan is clear. He’s going to back Tatum up, both in the locker room and on the court, helping him however he can. The rest of the Celtics understand the pecking order and they’re all eager to bolster their go-to guy, knowing what’s at stake this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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