Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum covered a lot of ground during his lengthy appearance on Ryan Clark’s podcast, “The Pivot,” earlier this week, from Kobe Bryant’s legacy and his relationship with Jaylen Brown to his painful Achilles injury rehab and potential return later this season.
He also spoke about the pressure of playing for the Celtics given their demanding fans, intense media and legacy of success.
There’s a lot to live up to in Boston, especially compared to other organizations. Tatum jokingly said he’d already have a statue if he played for the Memphis Grizzlies, and he’s not wrong.
But while Celtics fans may be difficult to please and play for, it’s because they care. Tatum appreciates their passion and commitment to the team and is proud to play for them.
“I have friends around the league who come into town on a random Tuesday to play and ask me if the fans are always like this. Every game is always sold out. It’s a great place to be in,” Tatum told Clark.
Story continues below advertisement
It’s not the first time Tatum has publicly praised Boston fans, who pack TD Garden whenever the Celtics are in town. He’s noted how well they travel and how they make certain road games feel like home games, which motivates him to play as many games as possible.
After nearly a decade in Boston, Tatum knows the city and its fans well. They’ve been through plenty of ups and downs together over the last decade, and the fans have been tough on him at times. However, he’s still grateful for their support and realizes how special it is.
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via David Butler II/Imagn Images
