Should Eastern contenders worry the Celtics? Tatum has a great answer originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics will face an uphill battle if they want to raise Flag 19 in 2025.
The NBA hasn’t had a repeat champion since the Golden State Warriors in 2018, and several of Boston’s Eastern Conference competitors made significant moves this offseason, from the New York Knicks trading for Mikal Bridges for the Philadelphia 76ers adding Paul George.
Jayson Tatum doesn’t seem worried, though.
When asked Thursday about the Boston competitors’ off-season changes to the Wave Sports + Entertainment 7pm in Brooklyn Show with Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero, Tatum gave a confident response.
“I mean, it’s twofold,” Tatum said. “Like, I see all the changes and people switching teams, and obviously the teams are getting better. Disrespect whoever you’re playing.
“But that being said, it’s like we won. Like, when you win a championship, you can talk however you want.
Tatum’s response clearly pleased Anthony, who said he wanted to hear more of that kind of talk from the Celtics star. And after helping Boston win its 18th championship, Tatum was grateful: He’s fired back at critics who doubted he would be able to overcome the title fight and boasted confidently that he would enjoy some downtime after winning gold with Team USA at the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.
Tatum and the Celtics have every reason to believe the East still runs through them. Twelve of the 15 players on Boston’s championship roster are under contract for the 2024-25 season (including all of the top eight), and while the C’s are expected to be without big man Kristaps Porzingis until at least Decemberthey went 30-5 without him in the regular season and playoffs.
So the East can carry whatever it wants. As far as Tatum is concerned, the champions are still the champions until further notice.
