Tatum: Celtics' dominance means nothing if we don't win title
The Boston Celtics have just one goal in mind.
Despite getting off to a blazing 21-5 start, superstar Jayson Tatum says the defending Eastern Conference champions only care about winning a championship.
"None of this means anything if we don't hang a banner," Tatum said after Boston's 125-98 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.
The Celtics have won 17 of their last 19 games. They're on pace to have the best offensive rating in NBA history, and they have a league-best plus-9.2 net rating this season.
Boston closed the 2021-22 campaign on a similar pace, leading the league in net rating while winning 26 of its final 32 games. The Celtics also had a league-best 122.6 offensive rating after last season's All-Star break.
Boston went on to make the NBA Finals but lost 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors. Tatum struggled in The Finals, averaging 21.5 points on just 36.7% shooting.
The star has bounced back in a big way this season. He's on pace for career-best marks in both scoring (30.5 points) and shooting (48%).
Additionally, the Celtics have gotten key contributions from several role players. Derrick White, new addition Malcolm Brogdon, Al Horford, and Grant Williams are all shooting career-best rates from distance, which has helped Boston record the league's best 3-point percentage (40%).
Center Robert Williams, one of Boston's best defensive players, still has yet to play this season after undergoing knee surgery.