Jayson Tatum is one of the biggest Kobe Bryant fans, as he grew up idolizing the Lakers’ Hall of Famer. As a result. Tatum grew up hating the Celtics, his current team.
Tatum had also worked with Kobe in his first seasons in the NBA having the chance to learn from his idol. It’s even obvious in Tatum’s moves on the court that Bryant is his favorite player.
(via SB Nation)
“My favorite player and my idol was Kobe and everybody knows that. So, I didn’t like the Celtics at all,” Tatum told former NBA star Quentin Richardson in an interview that will air Wednesday night on TNT. “I only grew up, I was like, I’m going to play for the Lakers. Honestly, I never knew what Boston was at. Like I knew only East Coast. But, I’d never been there, I never thought about going there.”
“When I got drafted, it was kind of crazy. Like, I used to hate the Celtics, and now, it worked out,” said the former Duke one-and-done. “Everything happens for a reason and I’m surely thankful to be here with this opportunity.”
Tatum signed a 5-year max-contract extension with the Boston Celtics a few weeks back. That means that he is bound to remain with the franchise for at least five more seasons.
During his time with the Celtics, Tatum became one of the youngest superstars in the league and an All-Star having incredible success with the franchise since Day 1.
