The Jayson Tatum Era Celtics Are On The Verge Of Accomplishing Something That Only The True Franchise Legends Have Ever Done
In what is perhaps the least surprising news in the history of news, I have thoroughly enjoyed the first 3 episodes of HBO's Celtics City. Granted there was a 0.0% chance that wouldn't be the case, but so far I think anyone who has watched the series so far would agree that it's been absolutely fantastic. I had high hopes going into it based off the trailer, but somehow its exceed expectations and you could make the case we haven't even gotten to the best parts yet (Bird Era is coming next Monday).
Coming off the latest episode last night, it got me thinking about this current era. As I talk about all the time, when it comes to this team it's always important to keep perspective. Every once in a while it's important to take a step back and understand what you're witnessing.
Watching all these episodes talk about the Russell Era, then the Hondo Era, and the soon-to-be Bird Era, I just want to take a second and process what we're currently watching when it comes to the next great era of Celtics basketball, which is the Jayson Tatum Era.
We can say that of course, because he and the team have their ring. Being able to be included in this club is exactly why the 2024 title was so massive.
Entering tonight, the Celtics have an opportunity to win their 50th game of the season. For some reason, it feels like people have become desensitized to that number as fans, not realizing what an impressive number that actually is. I mean, in the 79 season history of the franchise, a Celtics team has only won at least 50 games a total of 36 times.
Winning 50 games is hard. If it were easy, everyone would do it. This season, there's a strong chance a top 4 seed won't even hit 50 wins (MIL or IND). There's a reason why when you talk about sustained excellence of an era or a franchise, 50 wins is usually the benchmark. It's why the Spurs going 20 years (Duncan Era) winning 50 games every year is so insane.
Given I think we can all assume the Celtics are going to win at least 1 more game this season, it's important to realize just how lucky we are to be experiencing this right now
This will mark the 4th straight season we've seen the Celts win at least 50 games since Jayson Tatum arrived. Outside of the weird post-covid season of 2020-21, they've reached this mark in 6 of the other 7 seasons. The only other one they didn't (2018-19), they won 49. During the shortened 2019-20 season, the Celts were playing at a 54 win pace (finished with 48 in 72 games). Basically, those shortened seasons fucked things up a little bit, but you can assume at least for the first one they would have hit it. You get the overall point.
How rare is this when looking in terms of Celtics history?
Not counting this era, there have only been 4 other stretches in the history of the entire franchise that saw the Celtics have at least 4 straight seasons of 50+ wins.
1. '08-11 Celtics
2. '79-88 Celtics
3. '71-76 Celtics
4. '58-67 Celtics
That's it. That's the list.
If you look at those runs, they were all led by the true legends of the franchise. Pierce/KG in the modern era. The Larry Legend era, The Hondo Era, and of course, the Russell/Cousy Era
To help put a little more perspective on what we're watching here in 2024, despite what the haters and losers of which there are still many want you to believe, the defending Champs are currently having one of the best title defense seasons in recent NBA history
Remember how dominant the 2017-18 Warriors were in their title defense season? That team won 58 games, but only had a +6.0 differential. They were 29-12 on the road and had the 2nd most wins against teams .500 or better (30). As we know, they went on to defend their title and become the only back to back champs since.
Whenever the topic of the Celtics' success comes up, you always hear
"yeah well, Tatum has had a super team since Day 1! He got drafted to a 1 seed, no shit they've been good!"
To me, this is overdosing on copium. For some reason, people are still unwilling to accept what they're watching. Jayson Tatum is the superteam. That's why despite all the different rosters since he first arrived, all the injuries that happen during a season, the success has remained the same. He plays every game, he carries in the postseason, and he's a champion. Sure there are good teammates that play their role and are important to the overall success, the same way that was true for every legendary era before him. You don't think Russell had legit teammates? Or Bird? Or Hondo? Or Pierce?
But it all starts with "The Guy", and for this era, that is Jayson Tatum. It's why he's arguably already Top 4 on the Mount Rushmore of Celtics after securing his ring and in my opinion, passing Pierce (assuming his career totals fall in line). There's a legitimate chance we are watching a Top 3 Celtic to ever live, and while I understand how that might sound and how many old Celtics fans might not be ready to accept it, all I can do is point to the facts.
Since Jayson Tatum arrived, both he and the team have been doing things that we have ONLY ever seen from the greatest players/eras in Celtics history. That is fact, not opinion.
You often hear Tatum be described as "Wing Duncan", mostly because of his demeanor and his quiet dominance. For that to be true, he's going to need quite a few more titles, but a big part of the Duncan lore is the fact that as long as he was alive, the Spurs were a lock for 50 games.
We're only 8 seasons into the Tatum Era, but the same thing does appear to be true for him as well.