Jayson Tatum On Olympics: I Stayed Ready And Won A Gold Medal

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum’s Olympic experience was a different one, including not playing and missing every jump shot he took. Still, Tatum said the experience was a good, despite the challenges.

“I wasn’t moping around. I didn’t have an attitude. I wasn’t angry at the world,” Tatum said. “I stayed ready and did what was asked of me and I won a gold medal, right?”

Tatum also acknowledged he missed every jumper he took, but suggested that’s part of not being in rhythm.

“I know I didn’t make a jump shot when I was with Team USA. I don’t know, law of averages,” Tatum said. “It’s a weird rhythm thing being with Team USA; you never exactly know when you’re gonna get the ball. But that’s part of it. You sign up for that because I’ve done it before (at the Tokyo Games).”

Tatum says he hasn’t lost confidence in his shot, and that he’s not dealing with any kind of injury. After shooting poorly in the playoffs, the Celtics star said he’s learned that sometimes things don’t go as planned.

“I have two (gold medals) now, I have a championship, and everything doesn’t necessarily go the way you expect it to go, right?” Tatum said. “I’ve learned to be like, ‘OK, that’s a part of it.’ You move on, and I’m getting ready to enjoy the last little weeks I have before the season starts and get ready for another season.”