DEAL ACEPTED: Boston Celtics National Basketball Association Power forward Jayson Tatum whom involved in media, including launching his own podcast, Sent a Shocking message to Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla and the Entire Boston Celtics Team concerning his…see more

August 11, 2025 – Boston, MA — In a day full of headlines, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has not only agreed to a massive new contract extension with the franchise — but also delivered a shocking and brutally honest message to Head Coach Joe Mazzulla and the entire Celtics roster, making it clear that talent alone won’t bring Banner 18 back to Boston.

The announcement of the deal — reportedly a 5-year, $315 million supermax extension — was followed just hours later by the release of a powerful new episode of Tatum’s podcast, “The Truth in Green,” where the Celtics forward pulled no punches in holding himself, his teammates, and the organization accountable.

“I signed this deal because I believe in Boston, but belief isn’t enough anymore,” Tatum said. “We’ve been close, but close isn’t history. If we’re not ready to face the truth, we’ll never raise another banner in this city.”

From Franchise Player to Franchise Voice

At 27, Jayson Tatum is now locked in as the face of the Celtics for the foreseeable future — but it’s clear he’s stepping into a new leadership role, not just on the court, but within the culture of the team.

“I’ve been here since I was 19. I’ve seen us grow, fall short, grow again — but something’s been missing. It’s not the pieces. It’s the mentality.”

Tatum went on to say that despite multiple trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and a Finals appearance in 2022, the Celtics have too often lacked the “killer instinct” necessary to close out in the biggest moments.

“There’s no more room for moral victories. No more saying ‘we’ll get ’em next year.’ This is next year. And it’s time to act like it.”

Direct Message to Coach Joe Mazzulla and the Team

While the podcast remained respectful, Tatum clearly directed part of his message at Head Coach Joe Mazzulla, whose in-game decisions and leadership style have faced criticism during tough playoff exits.

“Coach Mazzulla’s grown a lot, and so have we. But leadership means more than schemes and film sessions. It’s about setting a tone — every day. We all need to look in the mirror, including him.”

He also challenged his teammates directly, calling on Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porziņģis to take the next step not just as players, but as leaders:

“This can’t be just ‘my team.’ It has to be our team. That’s the only way we win. And if you’re not bought into that, you’re wasting your time in Boston.”

Celtics Organization Reacts

The Celtics front office celebrated the new deal, with President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens issuing a statement:

“Jayson is the foundation of this franchise. His commitment to Boston goes beyond the court — he sets a standard that we all strive to meet.”

Coach Joe Mazzulla responded to Tatum’s comments during a brief press conference:

“Jayson’s earned the right to speak his truth. He wants more, and so do we. I welcome the challenge.”

Fans Fired Up, Analysts Weigh In

Celtics fans immediately flooded social media with support for Tatum’s message, with the hashtag #NoMoreExcuses trending in the Boston area within minutes of the podcast’s release. NBA insiders praised the message as a sign of Tatum’s growing maturity and evolving leadership role.

“This is what superstars are supposed to do — lead with truth,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “He’s not just cashing checks. He’s putting pressure on himself and everyone else to finish the job.”

The Bottom Line: The Time Is Now

Jayson Tatum has officially doubled down on his future in Boston — but he’s made it clear that he’s not satisfied with just being great. He wants to be legendary. And if the Celtics are going to make good on the promise of this core, the message from their franchise cornerstone is clear:

“No more almosts. No more could-have-beens. We’ve got everything we need. Now we either rise up — or stay stuck. I’m not here to stay stuck.”

Developing Story. Stay tuned as the Celtics begin preparing for training camp and enter a new era with Jayson Tatum firmly at the helm.

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