As the 2023-24 NBA season dawns, Boston Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum has been hard at work during the offseason, and his training partner turned out to be none other than Celtics legend Paul Pierce. Tatum, eager to embrace a pivotal season with a revamped Celtics roster, spent a significant portion of his summer on the West Coast, where he reconnected with Pierce for intense workout sessions documented on Tatum’s Instagram feed.

During his appearance at Celtics media day, Tatum couldn’t contain his excitement as he spoke about his time with Pierce. “I spent a lot of time with Paul Pierce this summer, which was great,” Tatum revealed. “He was really motivated. Paul actually lost 15-20 pounds in about four weeks. He came to the gym every day. It was cool to have him around. He told us a lot of stories about the championship team, a lot of things we’ll try to apply this year. And hopefully, we can see a lot more of Paul.”

Tatum himself underwent a transformation during these workouts, adding significant strength to his physique. Explaining his approach, Tatum said, “I’ve always lifted heavier in the summer than I do during the season. I guess I’ve set some personal records in the weight room this summer, but not that much more than last summer. I’ve put on about 12 pounds, and I think part of that is due to getting a little older. My body is maturing. I might shed some weight once the season starts and we’re playing four times a week. But I think I’ve been gradually getting bigger every year as I’ve grown older, so those factors go hand in hand.”

With the team’s recent trade involving Robert Williams for Jrue Holiday, Tatum could see increased time at power forward this season, making his added muscle all the more valuable as the team adapts to potential frontcourt challenges.

Tatum also emphasized his leadership role, stating, “My voice, my presence is felt during games, huddles, locker room, practice, film. I speak up. Everybody might not see it, and I might not be the loudest, but I express my thoughts. I listen to my teammates, and they listen to me, creating a mutual respect. Yes, there’s pressure; we have a truly talented team. People expect us to reach the championship and win. When we fall short, it’s seen as not meeting expectations. We’re in the mix of teams with a realistic chance to win the championship, and that’s our goal.”

As the NBA season unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate seeing Tatum’s transformed physique and leadership prowess on full display.