Jayson Tatum Had Classy Answer on Not Worrying About NBA Finals MVP

June 13, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

The Boston Celtics are up 3–0 on the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, and could win a championship on Friday night in Game 4.

Forward Jayson Tatum is ready to add a championship to his resume, but not just for himself. He wants to win the title for all of his teammates, too. So, he isn’t really focused on the additional accolades winning the finals can bring, like being named the NBA Finals MVP.

“Finals MVP or whatever, a champion is a champion. That’s the goal,” Tatum told Bleacher Report‘s Chris Haynes. “I want for my teammates what I want for myself. I want everybody to shine. There’s enough attention for all of us. And so, I want everybody to give us theirs.”

Tatum added that because the Celtics recently lost in the NBA Finals, back in 2022 to the Golden State Warriors, he wants to win this title to prove the doubters wrong. Critics will emphasize that while Tatum has earned some of the top achievements in the NBA, he still doesn’t have a championship.

“Because I’ve been here before, and I know what it felt like to lose [in the Finals] and that was the worst feeling ever,” Tatum said. “That was the worst summer I ever had. I made the All-Star team five times. I’m All-NBA first team year after year. The only thing they said I haven’t done is win. … I just vowed to myself that if I ever got back to the Finals, then I would literally do whatever I needed to do to ensure that we have a different outcome.”

If the Celtics win the franchise’s 18th title on Friday, the organization will lead NBA history for the most titles as the Los Angeles Lakers have 17. The Celtics last won in 2008.

10 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Derrick White’s Controversial Block vs. Mavs in Game 2 Seals Celtics Win

The Dallas Mavericks lost Game 2 of the NBA Finals to the Boston Celtics in a 105–98 defeat arguably filled with as many defensive highlights as offensive ones.

For Boston, Jaylen Brown expertly defended Mavs star Kyrie Irving in one lockdown sequence early on, and Kristaps Porzingis also made his presence felt with a crucial block late in the game. But it was Derrick White’s game-sealing defensive play with the Celtics up by five points and roughly 50 seconds left to go that essentially clinched Boston’s win and created buzz on social media for several reasons.

After the Mavericks stuffed Jayson Tatum in the paint on one side of the court, Irving and P.J. Washington blazed forward on a fast break looking to narrow Boston’s lead. Washington collected a pass and leapt for a dunk when White denied him at the rim with what appeared to be an epic block.

Fans were reminded of LeBron James’s clutch block on Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala in the Finals eight years ago.

DERRICK WHITE ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 😱 pic.twitter.com/r5jc02yxEA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 10, 2024

Truly an amazing play by Derrick White. The hustle, the timing, the athleticism. Incredible. https://t.co/ZsmH66rjNd pic.twitter.com/umerV8fplo
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 10, 2024

DERRICK WHITE YOU’RE MY HERO
— Dante Turo (@DanteOnDeck) June 10, 2024

However, slow-motion replays revealed that Celtics forward Jaylen Brown appeared to have pushed Washington from behind during the sequence, and that White made contact with Washington’s hand on the block, meaning a foul easily could have been called.

ESPN’s Mike Breen admitted after the game was over that the officials did indeed miss the foul on Washington.

"There should've been a foul called." - Mike Breen on the Celtics' game-sealing block.
Boston takes a 2-0 series lead over Dallas.🏀 #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/Noyh002M0H
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 10, 2024

The Celtics nonetheless took Game 2 for a 2–0 series lead and will travel to Dallas for the next two matchups of the NBA Finals.

7 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Celtics Rout Mavericks in Game 1 of NBA Finals After Explosive First Half

The Boston Celtics secured a 1–0 lead in the 2024 NBA Finals after taking care of business on their home court against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in Game 1, 107–89.

The Celtics jumped out to a huge first-half lead, pulling ahead by as many as 29 points during the second quarter before heading into halftime up by 21. Although the Mavericks clawed back to within eight points in the third quarter, Boston was able to re-extend its advantage and shut the door on the series opener.

Kristaps Porzingis was sensational in his return to the lineup, making his first appearance for the Celtics since April 29, when he sustained a calf injury against the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. The 28-year-old scored 20 points off the bench, providing a major offensive boost for the team.

Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 38 points, coming up with big plays on both ends of the floor as they helped guide their team to a Game 1 win. Tatum recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brown came away with three steals and three blocks, alongside a team-high 22 points.

As for the Mavs, Luka Doncic's first taste of the NBA Finals was not what he'd been hoping for. The 25-year-old played well, but it wasn't enough to keep Dallas close. He scored a game-high 30 points while adding 10 rebounds and just one assist. Backcourt mate Kyrie Irving struggled in the loss, shooting 6 for 19 in a 12-point outing.

Dallas faltered as a whole from beyond the arc, making just 7 of 27 attempts from three-point range. Boston was vastly better, shooting 16 for 42 from deep, a difference which showed up on the scoreboard. The Mavericks' 89 points were their fewest this postseason.

Dallas will look to bounce back in Game 2, which is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET from TD Garden.

13 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Celtics Media Trolls Mavericks’ Luka Dončić With Petty Graphic After Game 3

Following the Boston Celtics’ 106-99 Game 3 win over the Dallas Mavericks to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the NBA Finals, the Celtics media thought they would have a little fun with Mavericks star Luka Doncic.

NBA fans and analysts alike were well-aware of Doncic’s foul-baiting antics and incessant complaints throughout the game, and one Celtics media member decided enough was enough.

Doncic finished with 27 points on 11-of-27 shooting, but he fouled out with roughly four minutes left in the fourth quarter. NBC Sports Boston took the latter of those statistics and turned it into a savage graphic on X (formerly known as Twitter) paired with a screenshot of Doncic at the postgame presser.

The caption read, “petty o’clock”

petty o'clock pic.twitter.com/Ns3gkr6MVE
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 13, 2024

Doncic appeared to tut at the officiating after the game, as his fifth and sixth fouls were arguably very close calls. One game away from suffering a Finals sweep, the Mavericks will host the Celtics for Game 4 on Friday night.

US Sports News

Jayson Tatum Had Classy Answer on Not Worrying About NBA Finals MVP

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Jimm Sallivan