Basketball today is not treated the same as it once was. While the caliber of athlete in today’s game is incomparable to those of old, the faces of the NBA in its early days are regarded as Titans of sport.
Each larger-than-life story from the previous decades is topped only by tales of more insurmountable feats from the players who made the league what it is today.
Jayson Tatum’s return to the Boston Celtics, ten months removed from an Achilles surgery, will go down as one of those moments.
There was no reason for the superstar forward, and 300 million dollar man, to step on the court Friday night against the 21-42 Dallas Mavericks, but he did.
In the age of load management and minute restrictions, the 28-year-old NBA Champion took the court because it is what he is paid to do.
Tatum’s decision to play at the earliest possible point in his recovery not only speaks to his bravery and drive, but it puts the Celtics in a much more advantageous position come playoff time.
The team will not be getting their best player back in round one of the NBA Playoffs, hoping he can figure out his game as the series go on.
Tatum will have a full two months to get back into game shape and embark on the franchise’s 12th straight playoff run.
Tatum coming back for a regular-season game against an out-of-conference opponent with a horrible record is amazing for basketball.
It shows that, to some, the regular season does matter. Playing every game does matter. Showing up and showing out for your fans does matter.
The city of Boston will remember Tatum’s return forever, and when it’s all said and done, it could be the spark that propels the Celtics back into the NBA Finals.