"Nobody In Boston Wants To Put The Pressure On Him": Ramona Shelburne Provides The Latest Update On Jayson Tatum

The Boston Celtics were supposed to be in free fall this season, but at the midway point, they stand on firm ground as one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics look like they’re a piece away from becoming a legitimate title contender. In short, they could use a Jayson Tatum right about now.

Will the six-time All-Star cap off the Celtics’ dramatic ascent this season by making a comeback from his torn Achilles? On Tuesday’s edition of “NBA Today,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne gave an update on Tatum’s plans. Spoiler: Those plans aren’t clear yet.

“I checked in with Jayson Tatum, and he says, ‘I still have not made a decision on whether I am coming back this year,’” Shelburne shared.

Shelburne added that Tatum knows exactly what’s at stake as he works towards full recovery. And, for that matter, so do the Celtics. “He wants to get this right the first time. Nobody in Boston wants to put any pressure on Jayson Tatum,” she explained.

Achilles injuries can be devastating for any professional athlete, but fortunately for Tatum, he’s had elders and peers who have overcome this very setback. Dominique Wilkins did it back in the 90s; and, more recently, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have replicated the feat.

On top of this, Tatum’s beloved mentor Kobe Bryant has his own comeback story from a torn Achilles. Though Bryant’s injury in the 2012-13 season could have punctuated his illustrious career, the Lakers legend had more chapters to write. Bryant, who passed away in 2020, went on to play three more seasons and finally left the NBA after dropping a 60-piece in his swansong.

Things appear to be looking up for Tatum, who has been practicing with the Celtics’ G League affiliate as of late, but the question isn’t just a matter of could he return. More importantly, should he return this season? With the way that his buddy Jaylen Brown has been unleashed in his absence, does Tatum need to roll the dice and forgo the safer route of taking a longer recovery period?

In the end, a Jayson Tatum at less than 100% might backfire dramatically on the Celtics. From the looks of it, they’re fully aware of that scenario and their messaging is clear: no pressure.