Inside The Celtics

Jayson Tatum Discusses the Bond Between Him and the City He Stars In

After becoming the youngest player in Celtics history to score 10,000 career points, Jayson Tatum opened up about his connection with Boston.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Saturday night, Jayson Tatum became the youngest player in Boston Celtics history to score 10,000 career points. He's also the tenth-youngest player in NBA history to reach that milestone.

The four-time All-Star finished Boston's 124-114 road win over the Brooklyn Nets with 32 points and 11 rebounds, leading all participants in each category.

After helping his team, the last of the league's unbeaten, improve to 5-0 to start the season, the two-time All-NBA First Team selection expressed about his accomplishment, "That's special. That's cool. I've been blessed to be at a great franchise. I've had some great teammates (and) some great coaches that have contributed to helping me get to 10,000 points. So, hopefully, I've got a lot more to go and a lot more games to win."

The former Duke Blue Devil also discussed the growing bond between him and the city he stars in, one that's taken shape over roughly the last two years, coinciding with him becoming the top sports star in Boston.

"It means a lot," said Tatum. "I did an interview this summer, where I said over the last year-and-a-half to two years, I've really felt that connection with the city of Boston. And when I said that, I meant the people. The people that I know, the people I don't know, people I see at the gas station. Doing more things like going to the children's hospital, surprising the kids at the high school, and seeing those genuine reactions of the excitement on their faces when I walked in -- that brought me joy; I was happy to be there.

"And I understand the value in that, to go in there to speak to them is something that they might remember forever, so doing more things like that and enjoying my time here and appreciating the people and the city of Boston because it's a great place."

On another night where Tatum made history, erupting for 51 points, the most ever in a Game 7, propelling the Celtics past the Philadelphia 76ers in last postseason's Eastern Conference Semifinal series, he voiced the following.

"I can't express it enough: the genuine love that I feel from the crowd, whether it's pregame, during the game, (or) at the free-throw line. I've been here my whole career. I feel that they embrace me almost as one of their own, that means a lot. And I love being here. I love getting to put on this uniform. I love getting to play big games (and) put on big performances in front of them, and they feed off emotion and energy, and it's reciprocated. I can't express it enough: I just love being here. I love playing in front of this crowd."

Further Reading

From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Jayson Tatum Makes Celtics History, Boston at Its Best in Final Frame, Improves to 5-0 with Win vs. Nets

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Danny Green

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball

Published
Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

Home/News