Jayson Tatum On Celtics ‘Super Team’ Label: ‘We Didn’t Get Rewarded Like We Are'

The top-seeded Boston Celtics finished the regular season with a league-best record (64-18) and are the favorites to win the NBA Finals. But don't give Jayson Tatum any of that "super team" nonsense.

After Boston's 118-94 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 on Thursday, the Celtics' All-Star forward took issue with the hype surrounding the team without individual accolades for its players and coaches.

Jayson Tatum doesn't want to hear any of that "super team" nonsense.

(Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

A reporter asked Tatum if the Celtics' success this season had "spoiled fans" into thinking they're "supposed to win every game."

"That’s the narrative that you might see on TV, the idea that we have a super team. It’s twofold," Tatum said. "We didn’t have the Coach of the Year. We didn't have the MVP. We only had two All-Stars. They say we’re a super team, but we didn’t get rewarded like we are."

Tatum is coming off a regular season where he averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from three-point range.

He was named a starter for the 2024 All-Star Game, while teammate Jaylen Brown was listed as a reserve. Tatum finished sixth in MVP voting. 

So he's right that the Celtics are a bit of a paradox in that regard. But right after a 24-point playoff loss doesn't seem like the best time to complain about a lack of individual awards.

The Celtics and Cavs are tied at one game apiece in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They'll head to Cleveland for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.