With Jayson Tatum in the midst of one of arguably his best season of his career coming off a championship, he looks like a guy playing with a chip on his shoulder. In an interview with NBC Sports Boston before Friday’s game against the Suns,Paul Pierce elaborated on where he thinks that motivation is coming from. “When I watch Tatum on and off the court, he’s humble, he works hard,” Pierce said. “I have a chance to watch him workout in LA every year, he loves the game. He has something to play for because he’s probably the most disrespected superstar in our league.”
Source: Booth Newspapers
Source: Booth Newspapers
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Jason Beede @therealBeede
New for @orlandosports: If it were up to Paul Porter, this wouldn’t be his last season as the #Magic P.A. announcer:
“I just wanted to set the record straight after 36 years with the fans that I wanted them to know the truth, that’s all,” he said.
More: orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/05/orl… – 4:00 PM
New for @orlandosports: If it were up to Paul Porter, this wouldn’t be his last season as the #Magic P.A. announcer:
“I just wanted to set the record straight after 36 years with the fans that I wanted them to know the truth, that’s all,” he said.
More: orlandosentinel.com/2025/04/05/orl… – 4:00 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Paul Pierce provided some unique perspective on how he believes Jayson Tatum is treated around the league in a pregame appearance on NBC Sports Boston last night masslive.com/celtics/2025/0… – 11:21 AM
New: Paul Pierce provided some unique perspective on how he believes Jayson Tatum is treated around the league in a pregame appearance on NBC Sports Boston last night masslive.com/celtics/2025/0… – 11:21 AM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
New on BSJ: Jaylen Brown tries to channel Paul Pierce as he adjusts to a new reality caused by a painful right knee bostonsportsjournal.com/2025/04/05/jay… – 3:13 AM
New on BSJ: Jaylen Brown tries to channel Paul Pierce as he adjusts to a new reality caused by a painful right knee bostonsportsjournal.com/2025/04/05/jay… – 3:13 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Tatum couldn’t believe White got T’d up. I couldn’t either. Turns out, he didn’t. pic.x.com/lOdyOpfL1Q – 9:27 PM
Tatum couldn’t believe White got T’d up. I couldn’t either. Turns out, he didn’t. pic.x.com/lOdyOpfL1Q – 9:27 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Mean spill for Tatum after that driving dunk, but he popped right up OK. – 8:28 PM
Mean spill for Tatum after that driving dunk, but he popped right up OK. – 8:28 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Not the best shot selection quarter for Tatum. @John_Zannis has been on his shot decisions lately and his efficiency has dropped quite a bit. – 8:04 PM
Not the best shot selection quarter for Tatum. @John_Zannis has been on his shot decisions lately and his efficiency has dropped quite a bit. – 8:04 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Big Papi and the Truth here at TD Garden pic.x.com/KjidOSIQvI – 8:00 PM
Big Papi and the Truth here at TD Garden pic.x.com/KjidOSIQvI – 8:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Tatum 3. Celtics 4-of-6 from 3. Up 20-13.
Started their last meeting 7-of-9 from 3. Won by 30.
Timeout Suns with 5:47 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns #Celtics – 7:50 PM
Tatum 3. Celtics 4-of-6 from 3. Up 20-13.
Started their last meeting 7-of-9 from 3. Won by 30.
Timeout Suns with 5:47 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns #Celtics – 7:50 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Celtics running high screens off Porzingis for cuts and then he’s cutting to the basket.
Tatum scores.
Booker answer. Fouled by Tatum. FT. Suns down 9-8.
Booker with 5. #Suns – 7:45 PM
Celtics running high screens off Porzingis for cuts and then he’s cutting to the basket.
Tatum scores.
Booker answer. Fouled by Tatum. FT. Suns down 9-8.
Booker with 5. #Suns – 7:45 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Paul Pierce, James Posey, and Sam Cassell all catching up pregame ahead of Celtics-Suns pic.x.com/B7vRTzTW7o – 5:57 PM
Paul Pierce, James Posey, and Sam Cassell all catching up pregame ahead of Celtics-Suns pic.x.com/B7vRTzTW7o – 5:57 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Paul Pierce catching up with new Celtics owner Bill Chisholm pic.x.com/ZUZx6N70Md – 5:54 PM
Paul Pierce catching up with new Celtics owner Bill Chisholm pic.x.com/ZUZx6N70Md – 5:54 PM
Cameron Tabatabaie @CTabatabaie
Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum having such a strong season:
The first thing that comes to mind is the leadership pic.x.com/G3XpjPUayk – 5:47 PM
Mazzulla on Jayson Tatum having such a strong season:
The first thing that comes to mind is the leadership pic.x.com/G3XpjPUayk – 5:47 PM
More on this storyline
Paul Pierce: “The motivation is always there for him. Look what they did to him at the Olympics. It seems like its always something with Jayson Tatum that doesn’t sit well with people and year in and year out, he’s first team All-NBA, he won a championship and then there’s something else.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
With Tatum in the midst of one of arguably his best season of his career coming off a championship, he looks like a guy playing with a chip on his shoulder. In an interview with NBC Sports Boston before Friday’s game against the Suns, Pierce elaborated on where he thinks that motivation is coming from. “When I watch Tatum on and off the court, he’s humble, he works hard,” Pierce said. “I have a chance to watch him workout in LA every year, he loves the game. He has something to play for because he’s probably the most disrespected superstar in our league. The motivation is always there for him. Look what they did to him at the Olympics. It seems like its always something with Jayson Tatum that doesn’t sit well with people and year in and year out, he’s first team All-NBA, he won a championship and then there’s something else.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
When pressed by Brian Scalabrine about whether playing in Boston led to some of that disrespect nationally, Pierce strongly agreed. “I do,” Pierce declared. “I think playing for the Boston Celtics and we can go back to Bill Russell winning 11 championships. At no point did they say he was the greatest ever. It was always Wilt and Kareem. It’ something about people hating the city of Boston but all we do is win.” -via Booth Newspapers / April 5, 2025
Marc J. Spears: Today, The Jayson Tatum Foundation and SoFi announced the creation of a $2 million commitment toward advancing financial literacy and building long-term family wealth in St. Louis. It will help 100 St. Louis families gain homeownership with down payment & closing cost assistance. pic.x.com/t5qQYOKnVe -via Twitter @MarcJSpears / April 5, 2025
John Karalis: Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both listed as questionable for tomorrow versus Washington -via Twitter @John_Karalis / April 5, 2025