We can play in the NBA for seven years, be an Olympic champion, a multi-All-Star and have even already played in an NBA final, and still be tense before starting Game 1 of a final. This is what revealed Jayson Tatum, author of 16 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in the Celtics victory. This is ten points less than his average in the playoffs this season.
“To be honest, I was nervous. I'm not going to lie. I was nervous, like a little child”, he recognized after the Celtics' 107-89 victory. “It’s surreal to be in the final. When you're young, at the start of your career, you think you'll always go back. Last year, it was a bit of a wake-up call as we had failed to qualify. Coming back to this stage of the competition is something very important. »
Find a way to enjoy the moment
There is also the tension of getting off to a good start after ten days without playing. “We played well, but there are a lot of things we can improve. It's really good to feel the feeling of having won the first match. But we also know that two years ago, we won the first match, and we saw the rest of the series… So we have a lot of work to do. »
To free himself from this tension linked to the stakes, Jayson Tatum takes refuge in the pleasure of playing. “You have to stay in the present moment. Like I said, I was tense, but in a positive way. I was like a kid on the first day of school. I know how exciting and important it all is, and you just have to find a way to enjoy the moment and have fun playing basketball.”
