At the end of the day, we all want to win, so everybody has to sacrifice when you want to be a part of something special.
Jayson Tatum
I'm the biggest mama's boy ever, and I'm proud to say it.
You gotta have confidence in yourself first before anybody else will. I've always had that.
It feels great just finally knowing where I'm going and have some place to call home. And I'm glad it's Boston.
I feel like when I'm out there, I'm on the court, I just try to figure it out.
My parents are supportive of me, whatever school I go to.
It's been a dream come true, you know, just making it to the NBA and being drafted by a great franchise like Boston.
I just enjoy playing in the big moments, in the big games.
Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.
I'm a pretty good free-throw shooter, so getting fouled is a good thing.
I am growing up, but I still need help along the way.
When I was, like, 4 or 5, I'd just always tell - my mom would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older. And I would just be like, 'I wanna be Kobe.' She'd be like, 'You wanna be in the NBA?' 'No, like, I wanna be Kobe.'
I'm a big candle guy.
I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to compete against a player like him and be a few shots away from beating him and his team to go to a championship is something I will always remember.
I gained, like, 20 pounds in, like, two and a half, three weeks. So I just got too big too fast, and my body wasn't adjusted to that.
That's what I am trying to be, just trying to affect the game any way possible, rebounding, getting a block, or trying to get a stop even when your shot isn't falling, because, at the end of the day, all that matters is whether you win or lose.
If I see a spider in my room, I gotta sleep on the couch for, like, two days.
Just keep having fun. It's basketball. So that's what I'm going to keep doing.
Obviously understand what's at stake, and keep going. You just have to keep going, keep playing.
There's no better way to start your career than by playing probably the best guy in the league.
I used to watch LeBron on TV growing up, and now I'm playing my first game against him.
Man, I'm always going to back up my teammates.
It helps being on a good team with a winning culture and just being confident in myself.
I want to be the next Paul Pierce.
You've just got to bring it every night. And that's what makes the great players great.
Because I grew up in a single parent home with my mom, growing up, things weren't always the best.
I think that's when I have the most fun: when things are on the line.
I play the best and have the most fun when the stage is brightest.
I'm not afraid of anything.
Kobe Bryant was the reason I started playing basketball - always was and will be my favorite player of all time. I love the way he could get his shot off, his footwork down in the post, just his determination to be the best player.
I was fortunate enough to make it to where I want to be. There could be other kids as talented or more talented than me in whatever they want to be but don't have the resources to pursue their dream. Maybe they have to get a job instead to help their mom with the bills.
If somebody was to ask me who is the best rookie, I would tell them I was.
Once you get to the tournament, it's like, win or go home.
Guys are going to be physical, especially with me being the young guy. That tends to happen a lot. It's just guys trying to be stronger and bigger than me, so they're just trying to be more physical.
I still think it's mind-blowing when famous people know who I am.
Every time I shoot, I think it's going in. I get upset when it doesn't.
My relationships with the Duke coaches were the best, and they made me a priority.
I don't really think about it. I just try to find my opportunity and then attack.
I dreamed of having big moments and having a big role. That obviously came a lot sooner than I thought.
Being able to provide for your kids in a way that maybe your parents couldn't do for you is a great feeling.
One day I'd have 20 points, the next day two points. I was dribbling the ball off my leg. I couldn't understand why. The media started asking me, 'Is this because you are a new dad?' I didn't want to blame my son. There are plenty of people in much worse situations, and they make it work. I have to do that, too.
Obviously, getting stronger is the key, and knowing how to use my body, knowing what to expect.
I don't really want to get too heavy, you know. I still want to be able to move in the paint.
Coach K always wanted me to talk more, even when I was in college. That's something I'm going to do as I get older.
The East is tougher than a lot of people give us credit for.
I just care about winning and doing what I can while I'm on the floor.
I don't know how to handle all the trade talks.
I've always lived with my mom. My whole life.
Thin crust, provolone cheese, marinara sauce - it's just a St. Louis thing. That's what I grew up eating.
When I play bad, I don't get too down on myself. When I play good, I don't get too hot.
