Tatum emphasized the oddity of his coach's joy at his setbacks, noting, "Joe was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn't win Finals MVP and I didn't play in two of the games at the Olympics." He acknowledges that while it was surprising, such feelings from Coach Mazzulla align with his belief in using disappointments as motivators. Tatum's resilience is clear as he faces the upcoming season with a positive outlook.
Reflecting on the recent challenges, Tatum stated, "Did I need any motivation coming into the season? No. I'm not going to give anybody in particular credit that that motivated me to come into the season." He points out that despite the unexpected hurdles following his championship win, he believes everything happens for a reason, demonstrating his forward-thinking and professional mindset.
Tatum also mentioned, "I was coming off a championship, the highest of the highs, the cover of 2K and a new contract, and then that happened... I am a believer that everything does happen for a reason." This perspective shows his ability to reconcile the highs and lows of his career, embracing both as integral to his journey.
In sum, Tatum concluded, "It was a good experience. We won a gold medal, I won my second one. I was around some of the best players." His experience with Team USA, despite personal setbacks, underscores his focus on growth and teamwork as he prepares for the season.
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