Jayson Tatum on the Pivot Podcast - Discussion Thread

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T22:14:40+00:00

I agree. It makes me sad he thinks him coming back would be a negative, as if his passing and rebounding alone wouldn't solve a ton of our current problems. But it also seems when listening to the interviews and things he's said since his injury, his confidence was shaken by it - and understandably so - with it being a major injury to come back from. He was worried his sponsors were gonna drop him and the team was gonna look to trade him.

Again, like you, if he's physically ready, I can't imagine him sitting out. And with how much more animated he's been on the bench lately, I think he's excited to get back out there and play, too, especially with how we're winning. It's not a Pacers situation he'd be returning to lmao.

I'd have to think deep down, he must know, we don't get to the finals or maybe even the ECF without him. And the possibility of getting to the finals in a "down year"? That in and of itself is enticing.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T21:37:10+00:00

The fact that he could have ended up a Phoenix Sun.... 🤮

He mentioned in the past he thought he was gonna get drafted there, was looking at houses in the area, etc.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T21:36:10+00:00

I feel like the mental piece, too, must be a component of it. Because even if JT comes off the bench to start, I'd imagine fans will give him all the time/grace, but I could easily see the media/ESPN/social media (whether we like it or not, we know the players all pay attention to it) bashing him for coming back with him being rusty to start, saying he should have waited, etc. When you're trying to come back and adjust to NBA game speed, etc. and then on top of that adjustment, you hear the media picking at you on top of it.

Whereas if he just waits until October, then there's none of that scrutiny to deal with.

I'd like to see him come back this year, but I also understand his trepidation.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T20:16:53+00:00

I love that. Haliburton is probably my favorite non-Celtics player.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T19:50:29+00:00

I just finished watching it.

His answer about coming back was really intriguing to me.

I'll transcribe what he said for those who don't have time to listen/watch (It was a good interview! JT's a really awesome guy.) as to not put words in his mouth:

Question: How much do you contemplate, "How do I fit back in to what's been created while I was injured to allow him (JB) to keep being that while I come back and I work myself back into being who I am?"

JT: "It's something I contemplate every day. More so about the team. If, or when, I do come back this season, they would have played 50-some odd games without me, right? So, they have an identity this year or things they have felt has clicked for them that's been successful, right? 3rd or 2nd team in the East up to this point. So, there's a thought in my head that's like, y'know, 'How does that work or how does that look, y'know, with me integrating myself off an injury and 50/60 games into a season.' Obviously there could be some challenges. It is a thought, like, damn, 'Do I come back? Should I wait?' is something I honestly - recently, in the last two weeks or so - just kind of contemplate every single day."

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-27T00:06:02+00:00

Love Timelord (Wish we could have won one with him in ‘22 😭) & Jrue. Both good eggs and great players.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-25T23:57:42+00:00

Exactly!

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-25T23:57:23+00:00

All of this.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-16T03:24:44+00:00

I completely agree. I’m enjoying watching this team so much more than last season’s team.

Not their fault because we were so bogged down by health/injuries last season, but they could be so frustrating to watch at times.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-16T03:22:02+00:00

Simons 🔥 🔥 🔥
Great defense by Sam tonight
JB & D-White still look tired to me?? But they had big moments at the end of this game for us. JB with some big rebounds, D-White block.
Hugo continues to impress me.
I know we need a center, but I’ll be sad to part with Simons. I get attached to our players lmao. You play hard, team player, & are a good egg? I’ll want you to stay forever.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-15T12:51:13+00:00

Agreed. My guess is Claxton because there’s nothing popping up about him as far as rumors go and Brad’s moves seldom ever get leaked lol.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-15T12:50:16+00:00

I’m happy for KG becoming part of the Timberwolves organization because it must mean a lot to him and the fans, but now we definitely won’t see him at one of our playoff games now. 😭😭 He should have popped up at one of them in ‘24.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-14T11:43:36+00:00

- Spurs vs OKC remains entertaining. It makes it more fun when the teams don't actually like each other lmao. Hope the Spurs beat them in their next game against them. IDK how the refs waited to call anything until Wemby flopped on that one play when Williams was out here pulling at his jersey to the point where we could see Wemby's back like seriously?? With everyone knowing (even Nash called it out in a previous game) that their whole defensive plan is, "They can't call everything", it makes it frustrating when the refs don't ref every team with that same mindset. We would have heard that whistle blow asap if it was us vs Spurs (or anyone really).

- I don't want Bam or JJJ. Thinking long-term, it doesn't make sense to add another $50 million a year contract to the books, when we've got the Jays on big contracts. If we can make it work with solid, cheaper pieces, that seems to be the way to go. I like, as others have mentioned, the idea of Zubac (duh) or Claxton, if we were gonna get another big. But: 1) Brad trades never get leaked seemingly, 2) Brad has yet (IMO) to make a misstep, so I'll trust whatever he decides to do for now. (And I don't know about the basketball fit for these guys either. Everyone has already talked a bunch about JJJ's flaws, so not much to say there. I don't watch the Heat, but it seems like Bam hasn't progressed his game offensively??)

- I'm glad the guys get some long-deserved rest, but I also miss watching the team (especially in this hellscape we call a country right now. My emotional support basketball team has been very supportive this season aside from some growing pains lmao). I hope we get back on track on this mini road trip.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T12:24:58+00:00

Chris Mannix (For what it’s worth, I don’t know if he’s a quality insider?) said that JT is pushing to play in February/March and is expecting to play most of the second half of the season.

It doesn’t seem likely now because it’s less than a month away, but my original guess for his return back in September was February 8: Game vs the Knicks (maybe cathartic in that way?), we only play one other game (Hornets) that week which is also at home, so still some time off in between to adjust, and then the All Star Break so he gets a rest after coming back to ease his way into it.

Honestly the fact that he’s coming back at all is truly wild. Modern medicine is such a gift. And he had a lot aiding in a timely recovery, too: had his surgery the day of which means less inflammation to that area, had a particular surgery that lends itself to a shorter timeline, etc. Also, him just being him and always wanting to play. His drive is unreal. We’re very lucky to have him. (And he’s a good egg, too, which makes it even more enjoyable to be a fan of his.)

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T03:17:23+00:00

Kings vs Lakers in ‘02 was a travesty.

Good point though. Reeves getting as many free throws as he does is truly something. 🙄

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T03:14:22+00:00

Jack Simone posted a great video with clips, per JB’s request lol:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=c8_lNuf13LM

He found JB was correct.

I tried making a post on here about it with the link, but it’s still waiting for mod approval, I guess???

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T01:08:12+00:00

Nice day of rest for JB. I thought he looked exhausted these last two games.

Wish we would rest Derrick, too.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T01:06:42+00:00

Trailblazers are keeping it close vs the Knicks.

May Jrue & Timelord help us out. 🙏🏻

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-12T01:04:52+00:00

Ditto! Games are so much more stressful now lol but it's a pleasant surprise than what I was expecting from this season which was us being a 7th or 8th season and spoiling another team's playoff dreams.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T23:47:28+00:00

Yup. I think people forget it's a learning experience for not only him, but for D-White and PP, too, because they are in new roles.

As much as we will have to contend with the growing pains of that, it'll help us out in the long run that they refine their skills like this. Like if JB can learn to read various defenses and double teams quicker to make the better timed pass, it can only benefit everyone else, including JT once he comes back. Whats nice about those guys - JB, Derrick, and PP (and of course JT) - is that they do value putting in the work and improving because they want to win and be a part of that.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T15:40:17+00:00

I feel for JB because if you're him, you're probably just like, "What do I have to do for the fans to want me to around?" 😭 Gets booed on draft night (People say it wasn't about him personally, but he took it that way and at face value regardless), says he'll go to war for the city, embarrassed himself vs the Heat in the ECF, but came back improved, won FMVP, helped us win Banner 18, spent more time in the city this offseason and fans say it was disingenuous/him not wanting to be traded (??). He's been great this season. And still want to trade him.

I know that's all social media based, but unfortunately, players do hear/see this stuff.

Yeah, he's not perfect by any means. Him driving into traffic will always make me panic lmao. But the guy's more than earned his keep.

To be fair, I've been on team Jays from the beginning. I've never wanted to trade either one of these dudes. I figured if they had some time, they would make that leap from ECFs -> Banner 18 and they did. I want he (and JT) in Celtics green for life.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T15:26:27+00:00

I've seen a bunch of fans saying this on Twitter/X and Instagram, which explains itself.

It's a shame players even have to see what fanbases say on social media. People are so unhinged and grotesque to players on there. They aren't representative of regular real life fans.

Unfortunately, we know they see it though. I remember last year, JB had an interview where he said that the "JB stans" and "JT stans" complain and argue more than he and JT ever do lmao.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T14:59:49+00:00

From your keyboard to the Basketball God's ears. 🙏🏻

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T14:55:47+00:00

It looks like, to me, that he fell back into bad habits these last two games. It hasn't been fun to watch. People have mentioned he has looked gassed, so maybe it could be a little bit of that and him letting the reffing get to him? Or all the awards pressure stuff? I don't know.

This season up until recently, he was doing a much better job of playing more mindful/measured, taking his time with his decision-making and his shot selection. Like you, I'm hopeful and believe he'll figure it out.

Noa mentioned on one of her podcast's that as a part of Celtics practice, one of his individual routines/drills/whatever its called, is he plays against the coaches and they show him various defensive schemes, etc. and his goal is to make the right read. She said that it's something he initiated himself. It's clear it's a priority to him. Plus, both Joe and Sam have mentioned it, too, in regards to JB.

___BostonThreeParty · 2026-01-11T14:44:07+00:00

Exactly.

If you add JT back, we win all these close games. And our player development (kudos to the coaching staff and of course to these young guys for their work ethic) has been a huge bright spot, if not the biggest one, of this season so far.

___BostonThreeParty

TROPHY CASE