Jayson Tatum says he’s using the NBA Finals to “watch good basketball” instead of picking sides

Jayson Tatum is spending the NBA Finals the way many players in the offseason try to do: not as a rooting exercise, but as a chance to appreciate and learn from elite basketball. In an interview reported by Yahoo Sports on June 12, the Celtics forward described enjoying the games for what they are, framing his approach around watching “good basketball” rather than aligning himself with the Knicks or their opponent.

Tatum said he is not rooting for either team in the series, a stance that fits the perspective of an All-NBA player whose team is not competing for the title this year. For players, that can be the hardest part of the postseason, but it also allows for cleaner evaluation. Instead of judging outcomes through team loyalty, they can watch spacing, decision-making, and how stars and role players fit together when the margin for error shrinks.

The Celtics star’s comments also land during a period when NBA players typically shift from game-to-game preparation to recovery and refinement. Even without the day-to-day responsibilities of being in the conference championship conversation, elite performers still track basketball habits, including how defenses rotate in the half court, how possessions are created off the dribble, and how teams handle pressure late in games. Tatum’s “good basketball” framing suggests he is treating the Finals as a reference point for what he wants the Celtics to look like next season.

At the center of the viewing experience is the Knicks, a franchise that has built this postseason moment around physicality, discipline, and a heavier emphasis on execution. For a player like Tatum, watching how New York generates advantages, whether through ball movement, shot creation, or transitional bursts, offers practical lessons. Just as importantly, it shows what opponents are willing to tolerate from a ball handler and how they guard without giving up easy shots.

Tatum’s approach also highlights a broader offseason reality in the NBA: the Finals are not just entertainment for superstars not currently in the playoffs. The games can influence how players think about matchups and roster construction, especially when a series features distinct tactical identities. The best teams in April, May, and June tend to make late-game decisions feel routine, and that is something a player can watch closely even from the couch.

What to watch next, as the offseason progresses, is whether Tatum’s public comments carry into how the Celtics prepare once training camp approaches. The Celtics, as a perennial contender, will likely keep evaluating how modern offenses punish defensive hedges, how defenses react to late clock improvisation, and how championship-caliber teams maintain structure when the series tightens.

For now, Tatum is keeping it simple: he is watching the Finals because it is high-level basketball, not because he needs one side to win. That mindset, coming from a player who has become synonymous with deep playoff runs, may be the clearest report of all about how elite competitors maintain their edge between seasons.

Key context note: This story is based on a reported interview and does not include additional verified details beyond Tatum’s stated preference for watching quality play and his claim that he is not rooting for either team.