If ever there was any question as to whether the Boston Celtics thought they were going to be able to compete for a title in a season with Jayson Tatum’s return still up in the air and almost everyone else having Boston a retooling ball club, Celtics point guard Derrick White settled the matter on a recent interview with Tatum for NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine.
“I thought we had definitely had a chance to win before he came back,” explained White, “and obviously he comes back and I still think that.”
Advertisement
“We’ve been playing really fun basketball for most of the year and so now we just try to figure it out and then once it gets to the playoffs like you won’t be playing your best and so adding JT it definitely helps us.” Tatum, however, pointed out that he has a different view of the situation.
Apr 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) react during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
“I think it’s different for me,” said the St. Louis native. “These guys have been playing all season and … we put this uniform on, the main goal is to go get another one.
“For me, obviously that was a big reason why I came back was, you don’t get an opportunity like this year after year. We have a special team, a special opportunity and you just always want to take advantage of those of those seasons. I am still getting my rhythm back … I tell D-White before every game like I’m still anxious. I’m still excited because I was sitting on the sideline for 60 straight games and I remember when I couldn’t walk (…).”
“So just to go through practice today or, the little things like that I went without for so long, I really get excited,” said Tatum. “Anytime you can add a guy like JT back, you’re going to be excited,” said White. “Like you said, you put this Boston uniform on, you know what you’re playing for and that’s the mindset we had all year.”
Advertisement
“And then you add a guy like JT, now we’ve got to figure out how to be playing our best basketball going into the playoffs, and so we’ve got time here to figure it out,” he added. “I think it’s exciting for us to enjoy that process of playing the best basketball going into the playoffs.”
Listen to “Havlicek Stole the Pod” on:
Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp
iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47
YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Derrick White, Jayson Tatum on Celtics as a contender, Tatum’s return