Jayson Tatum: I'm OK with coming off the bench

[UpAndComing]

Celtics' Jayson Tatum says he's OK with coming off the bench this season: 'I just care about winning'

For example, following Gordon Hayward's injury, the team settled into a nice starting lineup of Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Aron Baynes. Now with Hayward expected to be healthy, one of those players has to move to the bench. Most likely it will be Baynes, but then that results in a smaller lineup, with Horford playing a bit out of position at the five, something he's not fond of doing for long stretches.

Another possible -- though unlikely -- scenario, is that Hayward simply slots in for one of Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum, moving them back to the bench. If it does come down to that, Tatum says he'll be OK. In a recent interview, he said he trusts Brad Stevens, and it doesn't matter if he starts or not. He just wants to help his team win. Via Boston.com:

Currently in Los Angeles, Tatum will continue working out before training camp begins in September. He said he is not concerned about forthcoming decisions regarding playing time, expressing the utmost faith in Stevens to do what's right for the team. He also trusts his teammates to handle the situation in stride.

"Everybody has a job to do," he said. "Our job is to be the best versions of ourselves and come together for a bigger goal, which is winning a championship. Brad's job is to manage playing time and manage all sorts of stuff. That's why he's the coach. We got a bunch of selfless guys on the team that just want to win. We'll figure it out."

Tatum said it does not matter to him whether he starts or comes off the bench.

"I understand how deep our team is," he said. "I just care about winning and doing what I can while I'm on the floor."

Given how well he played last season, it's almost impossible to see Tatum moving to the bench, even if that might be the most natural move. Plus, even though he said he'd be fine coming off the bench, there's no doubt that Tatum would prefer to remain a starter. The guy dunked on LeBron James in the Eastern Conference finals; it's tough to go back to being a reserve after that.

Young dude is so selfless

 

[606onit]

Beta cuck

 

[Cel 510 kid ados forever]

He not coming off bench whenn he the best player on team. I cotmmend his selfless attitude...

Zo and ben simmons too competitive to come off bench tho

 

[Paper Boi]

and you call him young kobe.

 

[CantStop]

Who's guarding Bron if Hayward, Jaylen or Tatum play the 4?

 

[Devil Plisken…CMS]

There is time for all the other shyt...

 

[Baka's Weird Case]

he sees the bigger picture. if he shows off off the bench eventually hes gonna start. i think he brown and hayward should all start

Who's guarding Bron if Hayward, Jaylen or Tatum play the 4?

brown

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

They will probably run the Horford/Hayward/Kyrie/Tatum/Brown lineup a bunch so who cares

 

[Columbo]

Nikkas are all on Tatums dikk but Browns a better defender and he averaged 18+ in the playoffs

Of course the coli's gonna dikk ride the light skin nikka



And now he's ok with coming off the bench? Fukk outta here

 

[GOAT]

He's not coming off the bench. He knows this damn well lol. He's just saying the right things. Dumb ass Coli nikkas.

 

[GOAT]

Who's guarding Bron if Hayward, Jaylen or Tatum play the 4?

For the two regular season games they'll play against each other? Why on Earth would the C's care to match up with a team in the other conference that isn't a threat to make the Finals?

 

[UpAndComing]

Nikkas are all on Tatums dikk but Browns a better defender and he averaged 18+ in the playoffs

Of course the coli's gonna dikk ride the light skin nikka



And now he's ok with coming off the bench? Fukk outta here

Fake militants just can't help themselves

 

[010101]

he's a good roleplayer*

 

[MJ Truth]

Mamba Mentality

 

[Columbo]

Fake militants just can't help themselves

Fake militant? Fukk outta here Thomas

If you only knew what them Mick's probably say to each other at the games and at the bars

Scust at any black man rooting for a team with a majority Irish scum fanbase