Jayson Tatum
© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Being the best in the NBA requires great sacrifice, and Boston Celtics‘ forward Jayson Tatum learned that last summer.
The lessons learned
Last June, the Celtics faced the experienced Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and fell at the hands of their more experienced counterparts.
Despite having an individually excellent postseason, Tatum struggled to find his rhythm in the Finals, as his averages and efficiency reduced across the board from the previous three rounds.
Tatum carried a heavy offensive load throughout the postseason, and burden likely played a factor in his game fatiguing when it mattered most.
One could argue that the Celtics were the more talented player-for-player roster over the Warriors; however, the savvy veterans for Golden State understood what it took to win on the biggest stage.
Changing his eating habits
This key difference between the teams was a valuable learning curve for Tatum, and the 24-year-old recently discussed the need to create an edge over the competition moving forward, starting with his diet.
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“That was part of something I wanted to change from my experience in the Finals and my level of fatigue. I talked to my trainer and was like, ‘I want to eat better, I want to change my diet.’ I’ve never been on a diet, I’ve always been able to eat what I want, but I’m just trying to find ways to give myself and edge. Eating more consistently, eating better, losing body fat, trying to gain muscle. Getting a chef and having him prepare three meals a day.
Not so much any more fried food like french fries, Yeah, no more [Popeye’s]. No, because anything that will help me play better, I can start today. So it’s not gonna be hard,” Tatum said.
As the game has developed, a focus on nutrition has become more prevalent when relating to elite performance, especially considering the long grind of an 82-game season and the unforgiving nature of the playoffs.
As much as it is a mental battle, the Duke product did log 3,174 combined minutes during the regular and postseason.
The edge is showing
After the heartbreaking Finals defeat and the reflection that followed, Tatum has also made improving personally on the defensive end a priority this season.
With the dedication to defending at a high-level, expending energy on that end of the floor is also a hurdle any great two-way star needs to navigate at some point in their career. So far, Tatum is doing an excellent job.
In just under 37 minutes per game, the Celtics’ leader scoring is averaging 30.8 points, 8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block per night.
More importantly for him, the team has raced off to a league-best 18-5 start.
It seems that Tatum’s improved diet is working not only for his team but for himself, too, emerging as a leading MVP candidate through a quarter way of the season.
