Famous Celtics’ player admits 2022-23 Boston Celtics had the wrong attitude.

Jayson Tatum’s reflection on the 2022-23 Boston Celtics’ attitude highlights the complacency that crept in after their 2022 NBA Finals run.

After pushing the Golden State Warriors to six games, the Celtics might have assumed a return to the Finals was a given, especially with an arguably more talented roster under first-year head coach Joe Mazzulla. Tatum acknowledged this mindset, admitting that their loss in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals served as a wake-up call. “Maybe I just expected that after we lost in 2022, that it was guaranteed we were just going to keep coming back and this is like, our time,” Tatum said. “Last year was just kind of like, a wake-up call to not take anything for granted because you never know how many opportunities you might have” .

The addition of Malcolm Brogdon, a significant upgrade talent-wise over Aaron Nesmith and Daniel Theis, brought high expectations. However, integrating a veteran like Brogdon, who expected a starting role, posed a chemistry challenge. This struggle for cohesion was evident as the Celtics labored through the playoffs, taking six games to eliminate the Atlanta Hawks, seven to overcome the Philadelphia 76ers, and needing a historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit to force a Game 7 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Acknowledging the need for change, the Celtics revamped their core in the offseason. They traded away Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, and Robert Williams III, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in return. These moves aimed to address the team’s complacency and chemistry issues. Early signs indicate that these changes have paid off, with the new roster showing promise and giving fans renewed hope for a championship run. Banner 18 feels closer than it has since the Celtics raised Banner 17.

The strategic overhaul and Tatum’s matured perspective underscore a critical lesson in professional sports: past success doesn’t guarantee future victories, and constant evolution is essential to maintain competitiveness.