Jayson Tatum has been no stranger to criticism over the years, especially after a pair of crushing postseason exits in 2022 and 2023.
Granted, some of that chatter quieted down this spring — especially after Tatum and the Celtics finally got over the hump and won a record-breaking 18th championship.
Tatum himself expressed relief on Monday about the validation finally granted by winning a championship.
“You know, just being the topic of discussion of so many debates or whatever it is. ‘Can he lead a team? Is he a top-five player?’ ” Tatum told The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach.