With Jayson Tatum in the midst of one of arguably his best season of his career coming off a championship, he looks like a guy playing with a chip on his shoulder. In an interview with NBC Sports Boston before Friday’s game against the Suns,Paul Pierce elaborated on where he thinks that motivation is coming from. “When I watch Tatum on and off the court, he’s humble, he works hard,” Pierce said. “I have a chance to watch him workout in LA every year, he loves the game. He has something to play for because he’s probably the most disrespected superstar in our league.”Source: Booth Newspapers
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Paul Pierce provided some unique perspective on how he believes Jayson Tatum is treated around the league in a pregame appearance on NBC Sports Boston last night masslive.com/celtics/2025/0… – 11:21 AM
New: Paul Pierce provided some unique perspective on how he believes Jayson Tatum is treated around the league in a pregame appearance on NBC Sports Boston last night masslive.com/celtics/2025/0… – 11:21 AM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
New on BSJ: Jaylen Brown tries to channel Paul Pierce as he adjusts to a new reality caused by a painful right knee bostonsportsjournal.com/2025/04/05/jay… – 3:13 AM
New on BSJ: Jaylen Brown tries to channel Paul Pierce as he adjusts to a new reality caused by a painful right knee bostonsportsjournal.com/2025/04/05/jay… – 3:13 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum couldn’t believe White got T’d up. I couldn’t either. Turns out, he didn’t. pic.x.com/lOdyOpfL1Q – 9:27 PM
Tatum couldn’t believe White got T’d up. I couldn’t either. Turns out, he didn’t. pic.x.com/lOdyOpfL1Q – 9:27 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum since March began: 38/126 3PT (30.2%). – 8:34 PM
Tatum since March began: 38/126 3PT (30.2%). – 8:34 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Mean spill for Tatum after that driving dunk, but he popped right up OK. – 8:28 PM
Mean spill for Tatum after that driving dunk, but he popped right up OK. – 8:28 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Not the best shot selection quarter for Tatum. @John_Zannis has been on his shot decisions lately and his efficiency has dropped quite a bit. – 8:04 PM
Not the best shot selection quarter for Tatum. @John_Zannis has been on his shot decisions lately and his efficiency has dropped quite a bit. – 8:04 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Big Papi and the Truth here at TD Garden pic.x.com/KjidOSIQvI – 8:00 PM
Big Papi and the Truth here at TD Garden pic.x.com/KjidOSIQvI – 8:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Tatum 3. Celtics 4-of-6 from 3. Up 20-13.
Started their last meeting 7-of-9 from 3. Won by 30.
Timeout Suns with 5:47 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns #Celtics – 7:50 PM
Tatum 3. Celtics 4-of-6 from 3. Up 20-13.
Started their last meeting 7-of-9 from 3. Won by 30.
Timeout Suns with 5:47 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns #Celtics – 7:50 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Ridiculous shot by Booker through the Tatum foul there. – 7:46 PM
Ridiculous shot by Booker through the Tatum foul there. – 7:46 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Celtics running high screens off Porzingis for cuts and then he’s cutting to the basket.
Tatum scores.
Booker answer. Fouled by Tatum. FT. Suns down 9-8.
Booker with 5. #Suns – 7:45 PM
Celtics running high screens off Porzingis for cuts and then he’s cutting to the basket.
Tatum scores.
Booker answer. Fouled by Tatum. FT. Suns down 9-8.
Booker with 5. #Suns – 7:45 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Paul Pierce is here for tonight’s game pic.x.com/G6iuxJPImj – 6:13 PM
Paul Pierce is here for tonight’s game pic.x.com/G6iuxJPImj – 6:13 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Paul Pierce, James Posey, and Sam Cassell all catching up pregame ahead of Celtics-Suns pic.x.com/B7vRTzTW7o – 5:57 PM
Paul Pierce, James Posey, and Sam Cassell all catching up pregame ahead of Celtics-Suns pic.x.com/B7vRTzTW7o – 5:57 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Paul Pierce catching up with new Celtics owner Bill Chisholm pic.x.com/ZUZx6N70Md – 5:54 PM
Paul Pierce catching up with new Celtics owner Bill Chisholm pic.x.com/ZUZx6N70Md – 5:54 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum having such a strong season:
The first thing that comes to mind is the leadership pic.x.com/G3XpjPUayk – 5:47 PM
Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum having such a strong season:
The first thing that comes to mind is the leadership pic.x.com/G3XpjPUayk – 5:47 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Circled back on the Tatum usage splits we looked at earlier in the year. Hasn’t been as stark of a difference lately, but #Celtics outside of the exceptions listed, have been much better with Tatum more involved (acknowledging the stat’s flaws).
clnsmedia.com/celtics-showin… pic.x.com/FifcJwmKhm – 8:18 AM
Circled back on the Tatum usage splits we looked at earlier in the year. Hasn’t been as stark of a difference lately, but #Celtics outside of the exceptions listed, have been much better with Tatum more involved (acknowledging the stat’s flaws).
clnsmedia.com/celtics-showin… pic.x.com/FifcJwmKhm – 8:18 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
A look at the #AllNBA picture by games played…
1st: Jokic
Shai Giannis (needs 3 more G, 7 left) Tatum Mitchell
2nd/3rd mix: Cade Brunson (needs 4 more G, 6 left) Mobley Edwards LeBron (needs 1 more G)… – 3:11 AM
A look at the #AllNBA picture by games played…
1st: Jokic
Shai Giannis (needs 3 more G, 7 left) Tatum Mitchell 2nd/3rd mix: Cade
Brunson (needs 4 more G, 6 left) Mobley Edwards LeBron (needs 1 more G)… – 3:11 AM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his 48th 30 point game of the season.
30 point game leaders
1. SGA: 48
2. Giannis: 37
3. Jokic: 28
4. Tatum: 27
5. Booker/Edwards: 23 – 12:02 AM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his 48th 30 point game of the season.
30 point game leaders
1. SGA: 48
2. Giannis: 37
3. Jokic: 28
4. Tatum: 27
5. Booker/Edwards: 23 – 12:02 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum is still getting into it with official Tyler Ford. – 9:17 PM
Tatum is still getting into it with official Tyler Ford. – 9:17 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum is 2 technicals away from a 1 game suspension. – 9:15 PM
Tatum is 2 technicals away from a 1 game suspension. – 9:15 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
C’s now mixing Scheierman in place of White with Tatum, Brown, Pritchard, Kornet. – 9:06 PM
C’s now mixing Scheierman in place of White with Tatum, Brown, Pritchard, Kornet. – 9:06 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Highsmith beats the buzzer from 3 after Herro ran by everyone on the #Celtics for a layup and Tatum fell to 1/7 FG. C’s trail by 14 at half, their largest deficit since Feb. 26 at the #Pistons. – 8:39 PM
Highsmith beats the buzzer from 3 after Herro ran by everyone on the #Celtics for a layup and Tatum fell to 1/7 FG. C’s trail by 14 at half, their largest deficit since Feb. 26 at the #Pistons. – 8:39 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
6-5 #Heat, #Celtics haven’t made a shot since going without a center (Pritchard-White-Hauser-Craig-Tatum). – 8:33 PM
6-5 #Heat, #Celtics haven’t made a shot since going without a center (Pritchard-White-Hauser-Craig-Tatum). – 8:33 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum falls to 1/6 as the #Celtics continue to trail by double-digits approaching halftime. – 8:29 PM
Tatum falls to 1/6 as the #Celtics continue to trail by double-digits approaching halftime. – 8:29 PM
Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop
Down to Miami in the second quarter, Celtics go with Donut Lineup — Tatum, White, Hauser, Craig, Pritchard. No center. – 8:27 PM
Down to Miami in the second quarter, Celtics go with Donut Lineup — Tatum, White, Hauser, Craig, Pritchard. No center. – 8:27 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
This could add to the swing here. 3 point foul on Mitchell and then a tech. Tatum hits the free throw and now White gets three – 8:27 PM
This could add to the swing here. 3 point foul on Mitchell and then a tech. Tatum hits the free throw and now White gets three – 8:27 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
You almost never see Tatum pass up shots he should take like he did there in transition. – 8:00 PM
You almost never see Tatum pass up shots he should take like he did there in transition. – 8:00 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Good find Brown to Tatum attacking baseline and scanning the floor. – 7:46 PM
Good find Brown to Tatum attacking baseline and scanning the floor. – 7:46 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Heat at Celtics – TD Garden – April 2, 2025 – Starters
Boston – White, Hauser, Brown, Tatum, Kornet
Miami – Tyer Herr, Alec Burks, Pelle Larson, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware
OUT – Boston: Horford, Holiday, Porzingis Miami: Wiggins, Love, Robinson, Jovic, Smith pic.x.com/SlVvXoVIpZ – 7:05 PM
Heat at Celtics – TD Garden – April 2, 2025 – Starters
Boston – White, Hauser, Brown, Tatum, Kornet
Miami – Tyer Herr, Alec Burks, Pelle Larson, Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware
OUT – Boston: Horford, Holiday, Porzingis Miami: Wiggins, Love, Robinson, Jovic, Smith pic.x.com/SlVvXoVIpZ – 7:05 PM
More on this storyline
Paul Pierce: “The motivation is always there for him. Look what they did to him at the Olympics. It seems like its always something with Jayson Tatum that doesn’t sit well with people and year in and year out, he’s first team All-NBA, he won a championship and then there’s something else.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
With Tatum in the midst of one of arguably his best season of his career coming off a championship, he looks like a guy playing with a chip on his shoulder. In an interview with NBC Sports Boston before Friday’s game against the Suns, Pierce elaborated on where he thinks that motivation is coming from. “When I watch Tatum on and off the court, he’s humble, he works hard,” Pierce said. “I have a chance to watch him workout in LA every year, he loves the game. He has something to play for because he’s probably the most disrespected superstar in our league. The motivation is always there for him. Look what they did to him at the Olympics. It seems like its always something with Jayson Tatum that doesn’t sit well with people and year in and year out, he’s first team All-NBA, he won a championship and then there’s something else.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
When pressed by Brian Scalabrine about whether playing in Boston led to some of that disrespect nationally, Pierce strongly agreed. “I do,” Pierce declared. “I think playing for the Boston Celtics and we can go back to Bill Russell winning 11 championships. At no point did they say he was the greatest ever. It was always Wilt and Kareem. It’ something about people hating the city of Boston but all we do is win.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
