If it seems like it’s been ages since budding Boston Celtics superstar wing Jayson Tatum made his bold predictions for the 2019-20 NBA season, it’s because it has been a long time.
The pandemic and subsequent hiatus has thrown things awry in a historically-unprecedented way, and despite that, the Duke product managed to deliver on the bulk of his promised goals of scoring more than 20 points per game, making an All-Star game and getting his team to the NBA Finals.
Tatum — who saw his NBA 2K rating jump to 90 on Thursday — fell just two wins shy of the last goal, but looks ready to make the leap to the Finals with the right cast around him, reflected in his new rating earned by his success in the playoffs.
.@jaytatum0 reacts to hitting his goal #2KRatings pic.twitter.com/zpfaj2MJyG
— NBA 2K21 (@NBA2K) October 22, 2020
If you’ve also forgotten the interview where Tatum made those predictions was regarding his NBA 2K rating while speaking with NBA 2K’s Ronnie Singh, it’s understandable — that was practically another millenia, or at least it feels like it.
The duo reunited so Singh could reveal the new rating to the Celtics star his shiny new 90 rating, reminding him he came into the league already at 85.
Tatum guessed his new rating perfectly, and shared his thoughts on what he’ll need to do to keep climbing the 2K rating ladder.
Trio of Celtics have new NBA 2K ratings to tease Nov. Next Gen release https://t.co/tEzG3BMtwg
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 22, 2020
“I feel like it’s it’s a little it’s a little tougher to move the needle once you get to 90,” he suggested, perhaps implying a title or at least a solid performance in the Finals might be what’s needed.
As for his new rating?
“It feels good. You set out a goal before the season, and once you accomplish that goal it feels good. And now, we’re on to the next marker.”
Whatever that new challenge is, it’s only onward and upward — markers Boston fans are already impatiently waiting to see unfold.
