Mazzulla on pressure for Jayson Tatum to win a title: ‘It becomes a burden’
The Celtics head down the home stretch of the season with the 1-seed well in hand and sky high expectations to bring a championship home to Boston. But does the most pressure fall on the Celtics two all-stars. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joined Zolak & Bertrand and addressed what level of pressure is on Jayson Tatum in particular to win a championship this year:
‘It becomes a burden’
“I mean, that’s that’s part of the responsibility, and the ownership that it comes with. Some of the criticism in the lens that people look through Tatum is unfair. Absolutely. But we don’t want to run away from the pressure. There’s going to be pressure every single year. No matter how well we do one year, the next year is always going to be harder. And so I think the lens that he is looked at through is about that. I just think for both him and Jaylen, when they come into the league and have so much success at such a young age of giving every single year for those two guys, it becomes a burden at times. And so, I do think the lens that he is looked at is unfair, both for him and Jaylen. But I think the pressure is always going to be there. No one puts more pressure on themselves than he does and Jaylen does and that our team does because we have the expectation and the responsibility to want to win. So you have to look at that as more of a compliment. But we also gotta be able to appreciate what these guys have done, throughout their careers. They’ve accomplished a lot.”
LISTEN: Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla joins Zolak & Bertrand
Mazz: Why the Nuggets are better than the Celtics
The Nuggets have the best player
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t be insulted by this – t The Nuggets have the best player in the league. The question is whether the Celtics can do something to mitigate – or slow down – Nikola Jokic, who has averaged 33 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against them this season. As good as Porzingis has been for the Celtics this season, he doesn’t appear to have had much effect on Jokic, who is able to muscle him in the paint. Porzingis played well last night, but Denver’s ability to go to Jokic at the biggest moments was an enormous difference-maker in last night’s game. Few (if any) in the league have an answer for him – including the Celtics.
Denver has dictated the pace in both meetings
DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 7: Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Boston Celtics at Ball Arena on March 7, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brendall O’Banon/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Remember when the Celtics recently attacked the rim against Philadelphia and everyone said they had changed? Well Denver wasn’t buying it. And they won’t until the Celtics prove they can beat Denver in a half-court game, which they have not been able to do. For the year, the Celtics are averaging 120.5 points and more than 16 3-poinmters per game while shooting .385 from distance. Against the Nuggets, those numbers are 104.5, six (yes, six) and .305. Denver has taken away the 3-point line and forced the Celtics to play at a more deliberate pace – and the Celtics haven’t been able to win yet. Yes, the games have been close. But close favors the Nuggets.
The Nuggets have answers for Jayson Tatum
Mar 7, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Celtics found points in other places last night – Jaylen Brown (41 points, 14 rebounds) was brilliant – but the truth remains: while Jokic has been tearing the Celtics apart, Tatum has been neutralized. Denver has physical, athletic wings that make Tatum uncomfortable and the numbers prove it. In two games against Denver, Tatum is shooting 14-for-37 overall (37.8 percent) and just 3-for-13 from distance (23 percent) while averaging 18.5 points and six rebounds. Last night, he had five turnovers. If the Celtics are going to beat the Nuggets in a series of any kind, they have to find a way for Tatum to have greater impact on the game, particularly against a Denver defense that can throw an array of defenders at him, including Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.
