Jayson Tatum (Image Credit: Getty Images)

In the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Boston Celtics won their 18th championship title. They faced off against the Dallas Mavericks and secured victory in a best-of-seven series, finishing with a score of 4-1. Jaylen Brown stood out during the Finals and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). With this win, the Celtics hold the record for the most championships in the NBA’s history. Interestingly, Jayson Tatum of the Celtics knew they would be the winners even before the Finals began.

At a recent event at the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre, Tatum expressed confidence that the Celtics would win after the Denver Nuggets lost in the playoffs.

“People always ask me, when did you guys know you were going to win a championship?” Tatum said, according to Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. “When Minnesota beat Denver, I felt like Denver was the only team that they matched up best with us. I thought that we were going to play Denver in the Finals, and it was going to be a good one.”

Many saw the Nuggets as one of Boston’s toughest rivals, as they had beaten the Celtics twice in the regular season. With Denver out of the playoffs, Jayson Tatum felt more confident about their chances.

Fans React To Jayson Tatum’s Latest Remarks On Their 18th Championship Title Victory

Many people have started to bash Jayson Tatum after his recent comments, with one person saying, ““When Jimmy got hurt in play in AND when wolves beat Denver” should’ve been his answer”

Another person commented, “He didn’t even contribute to the championship and he talking crazy 🤡”

One person even criticized his tattoo, saying, “I wish Denver would have won the West so that Tatum wouldn’t have this corny a** tattoo on his back today 😭”

Many fans seem to agree with Jayson Tatum, too, saying, “No lies were spoken. That would have been a great series. Jo one else was competing with Boston.”

Another one said, “I mean yeah Minnesota did us such a big favor”

The Celtics had a great season, finishing with 64 wins and proving to be strong competitors in the Eastern Conference. After the Nuggets lost, the odds shifted significantly in favor of Boston; they moved from +125 to -150, showing that bookmakers believed the Celtics would win the championship without facing Denver.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics faced the Indiana Pacers as heavy favorites with -900 odds. Many viewed this matchup as easier than a potential series against Denver. Though the Pacers performed well to reach this stage, Boston’s talent and depth ultimately outmatched them.

On the other hand, Dallas’s run to the Finals was unexpected. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves. Still, Tatum and his teammates felt confident against them, likely because the Mavericks had lost both games to the Celtics during the regular season. In fact, Boston’s last loss to Dallas was in March 2022.

Boston and Denver are getting ready to compete for the title in the 2024-25 season and may face each other in the 2025 NBA Finals.