On Monday night, the Boston Celtics had a chance to win the Eastern Conference Finals in a game seven versus the Miami Heat. The Celtics were down three games to two and needed a tip in from Derrick White at the buzzer to force a game seven. The Celtics had every chance they needed to advance to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, a somber and defeated Jayson Tatum answered questions from the media after getting blown out, at home, against the eight seeded Miami Heat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tatum rolled his ankle on the very first play of the game, leading to a 5-13 shooting performance, 1-4 from beyond the arc, and a measly 14 points. This comes after a 31 point performance in game six.
Tatum sat in the press conference, obviously disappointed and upset. Answered questions calmly and respectfully. I believe my favorite answer came after this question.
Reporter: "Jayson, with the sprained ankle, game seven, no margin for error, is there a tendency to look back... at missed opportunities in the past that wouldn't have put you in a position like this?"
Tatum's response is one of poise, seriousness, and full of advice. The way he handles the question, one that could have sent an athlete into a rage, shows you the character and control Tatum has over his emotions.
Tatum: "You can't go through life talking about what you could've, should've, done. (Stuff) happens and the past is the past. We fought like hell to give ourselves a chance today. It just isn't the outcome we anticipated."
Tatum could have popped off at the reporter for always bringing up the past, for always looking at the negatives of a team, for never seeing the positives when they occur. Yes, the Celtics struggled at home during the post season. They couldn't close out game two of the series and take a 2-0 lead heading into game three in Miami. In fact, Boston was down 3-1 heading into game five and needed a win to keep the series alive. They actually won three straight games heading into game seven; something not easily achievable. The reporter, in the very next question asked Tatum why playing at home appeared to be difficult. Tatum, once again, answered with calmness.
Tatum: "It's not difficult to play at home. We didn't play well in the first two games, and they (Miami Heat) did. We don't want it to be like that, it is called "home court advantage" for a reason, but, you know, it is not difficult to play at home. We have great fans and I do wish the outcome was different."
Being the leader of a team, in Tatum's case, the face of a franchise, requires a lot of poise. Tatum could've thrown a tantrum and berated the reporter. Rather, he takes the loss on the chin. The way he handled each of these questions, and ended the press conference with giving his interim head coach, a first year head coach, praise as they made it to the conference finals game seven, shows that he cares greatly about the Boston Celtics, his teammates and the fans. He was visibly disappointed about his team's performance, He alluded to the fact that he had been to the conference finals four times out of six years and made it to the NBA Finals once. He didn't throw in the towel, throw teammates, coaches, or the organization under the bus. He took responsibility for "not playing well enough to win this series" and will be ready to make another run at a championship in the following season. The character, the leadership he portrayed, is refreshing to see from a young superstar.
Living in the past can be dangerous. It can hinder you from moving on and getting past whatever it is you are struggling with. It can create more problems and challenges along the way.
My takeaway from Tatum's press conference: don't live in the past, take responsibility in all that you do, and look forward. Keep going.