Even a disappointing end to the season can't stunt Tatum's growth curve for greatness

Jayson Tatum says he thinks about Boston's NBA Finals loss "every day," which is part of the hurt all great players endure before breaking through in leading a team to a championship.

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LAS VEGAS – Jayson Tatum said he thinks about Boston’s NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors all the time, sensing that he’ll need a restart to the season or a return trip to the Finals to fully get the disappointment out of his system.

But what Tatum is experiencing is what most of the all-time greats have experienced during the early stages of their career.

Michael Jordan’s first trip to the NBA Finals came seven years into his Hall of Fame career. LeBron James was among the last two teams standing in the NBA until he was in season No. 8.

Tatum's first trip to the NBA Finals came in Year 6, after having advanced to the Eastern Conference finals twice in his first three NBA seasons.

A closer look at many of the top players leading their teams to championships in the past shows their journey towards the ultimate prize in the NBA has been a road littered with heartbreak followed by healing.

For Tatum, that healing becomes part of his continued growth into being more than just a good player, but on pace to become one of the all-time greats.

That growth includes making it known to the front office and coaching staff who he would like to play with, going forward.

Shortly after the season ended, Tatum acknowledged conversations took place between him and Brad Stevens, Boston’s president of basketball operations, about the roster and possible additions.

And the reasoning for those conversations, Tatum says, is simple.

I asked Tatum about his comfort level now when it comes to providing input to Stevens and the front office on the roster.

"I'm invested in being with the Celtics,” Tatum said. “Myself, JB (Jaylen Brown), (Marcus) Smart, whoever it is, giving our input in who can help us get over the hump next year, things like that."

The big takeaway for Tatum and the Celtics coming off their NBA Finals loss to Golden State, is the challenge of not just getting to the Finals but navigating a path towards success.

‘I know I have to be better coming into next year, trying to get back,” Tatum said.

Still, even with the season not ending with a championship, there were a number of positives Boston takes heading into next season.

For starters, their core group is a year older and presumably wiser, for having gone through the grind of a season that came oh-so-close in ending with a championship.

Boston added Malcolm Brogdon in a trade with the Indiana Pacers, and signed Danilo Gallinari off of waivers. The Celtics also used the 53rd overall pick in this year’s draft to select JD Davison, a former 5-star recruit who left Alabama after his freshman season, and was recently signed to a two-way contract.

“Great season,’ Tatum said. “Two teams left. Obviously, it’s tough (losing). We didn’t accomplish our goal. Getting there so close…extremely close, knowing how bad we wanted it. Just dealing with that all summer. Try to turn the next page and get ready for next season.”