WASHINGTON – The straightforward story is that Jayson Tatum, a forward for the Boston Celtics, has something to demonstrate.

Despite winning his first NBA championship and a second gold medal at the Olympics in 2024, Tatum was not named Finals MVP, even though he had a strong performance. His playing opportunities during the Paris Olympics were greatly reduced, with no appearances in matches against Serbia or during the semifinals.

During the Olympics, Tatum faced difficulties with his jump shot; he failed to make any baskets from outside the paint. Although he returned with a gold medal, he felt confused rather than frustrated, reflecting on how he could learn from the experience.

While he hesitated to say that his Olympic experience would serve as extra motivation for the upcoming 2024-25 NBA season, it’s clear that Tatum is already among the elite players in the league, having made first-team All-NBA for the last three seasons.

This doesn’t mean he lacks aspirations, such as winning more championships to secure his legacy among the greatest Celtics players in history.

Furthermore, Tatum shared, “As a child, I set many goals for myself, and I’ve been fortunate to achieve many of them, including those my favorite players accomplished. So saying that the MVP award matters to me doesn’t diminish our team’s success,” following Boston’s 122-102 win over Washington on Thursday.

“Every MVP winner has played on a championship-contending team. If you’re the MVP, you’re delivering impactful performances, being efficient, and contributing to wins. So, it’s possible to achieve both. While the championship is my top priority, being the best version of myself during the process is equally important.”

Tatum has hovered around the MVP conversation, placing sixth in 2022 and 2024 and fourth in 2023.

He has started the 2024-25 season remarkably, recording back-to-back double-doubles with 37 points, 10 assists, and one block and steal in a 132-109 victory over New York, followed by 25 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists against the Wizards.

While he’s not looking for redemption or validation, his early-season performances strongly affirm that Tatum is one of the top players in the game.

After the Olympics, Tatum took a break from the sport and later returned to focus on improving his jump shot with help from skilled coach Drew Hanlen.

“I feel like I had a very productive training camp, working on my fitness and conditioning, and as a team, we had a great training camp and preseason games,” Tatum noted.

Now in his eighth season and still just 26 years old, he is entering the peak of his career. What does Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expect from Tatum?

“He should dominate every aspect of the game,” Mazzulla said. “I want him to continue making great shots and finding the best opportunities for himself and our team. He should rebound effectively on both ends, defend strongly, and excel in playmaking.”

“He has the capability to influence the game in various ways, and that standard is what he has set for himself and is striving to meet.”