Jayson Tatum Talks Potential Return and Sitting Out This Season

The Boston Celtics are going to be an interesting team to watch for the rest of the season. They surprised the league by staying at the top of the Eastern Conference despite not having the majority of their core from last season. Now, Jayson Tatum, who has sat out the entire season recovering from an Achilles tear, is preparing to return. 

The Celtics went from potentially taking a year off to being the second seed in the East with an All-NBA player joining their roster for the home stretch of the season. 

Tatum recently spoke about what it’s been like watching from the sidelines as he recovers. 

“Over 39 weeks, you have a lot of time on your hands. You think about a lot of things. Just hyperaware of what’s going on. I think it would just stem from that. Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team. But I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well. And, not to say that I would come and mess it up or anything like that. It was just kind of being vulnerable, I guess, for a moment… It’s been tough not being able to play and compete. You know how much I love this game. I love being out there. But I’ve also grown an appreciation for the game, for my teammates, and just guys around the league; sitting back and being able to watch guys take their next step, it’s been kind of cool to see… I sit next to the coaches, hear their commentary, see it through the lens of the coach.”

Tatum was chomping at the bit to play this year. However, instead of staying frustrated, he decided to use his time away from the game to learn and build perspective. When he returns, the Celtics are going to be as dangerous as ever, and with a new mindset, Tatum may be the X-factor nobody was expecting this season.