Video: Celtics' Jayson Tatum Says Criticism Gets 'Old' and 'I Change the Channel'

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has learned to shrug off what he considers to be tired narratives about his game and career.

During his press conference ahead of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, the five-time All-Star told reporters his immediate family is typically "more bothered" by the criticism that's leveled toward him.

"I don't take it personal," he said. "... Did it get old? Yeah. But it's the Finals. They wouldn't talk about me if I wasn't good. So try to take some positives out of it and change the channel."

As Tatum said, the better you are the heavier the burden you carry.

The 26-year-old was an All-NBA honoree for the fourth time this year. He's in the Finals for the second time and the Celtics have reached a conference finals five times since his arrival in the NBA in 2017-18.

By any standard, Tatum has had a great career so far. The absence of a championship looms large on his résumé, though.

The way the 2022 Finals unfolded didn't exactly help, either.

Boston could've taken a commanding 3-1 lead on the Golden State Warriors in Game 4 of that series but couldn't hold onto a five-point lead midway through the fourth quarter on its home floor.

Tatum's numbers were good but not exceptional as well. He averaged 21.5 points on 36.7 percent shooting along with 6.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists. In the series-clinching Game 6, he shot 6-of-18 for 13 points.

Should the Celtics come up short again, the 6'8" forward will be changing the channel a lot this summer because he can count on hearing the same things that have been said for multiple years already.