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Stephen A. Smith is at it once again. He recently made an appearance on Club Shay Shay, talking about an extremely riveting topic. Sitting down with the First Take host, Shannon Sharpe discussed many interesting topics. One such interesting conversation they had surrounded who’s the best athlete among the current young talent in the NBA. They talked about many prominent names, including Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards,?LaMelo Ball, and more. And while many thought the dynamic ESPN host would pick the obvious choice, he surprised the entire world by choosing someone else!

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Stephen A. Smith gives his choice among the prospects

The well-known American sports TV presenter, Stephen A. Smith, is known to speak his mind. He never shies away from being his outspoken self. And people seem to like the host even more for that. So choosing his top pick from among the under-25 NBA talent was bound to raise a lot of eyebrows. The popular sports journalist picked Jayson Tatum over Luka Doncic. And he definitely had his share of reasons for choosing the Boston Celtics forward. He said, A lot of people say, Luka. I’m going to say, Jayson Tatum. He’s 6-9; can shoot the 3. I saw Tatum drop 46 in a closeout playoff game 6 in Milwaukee. I saw him handle his business in Game 7. I’ve seen a young Tatum, who ain’t even 27 years of age yet, be a primary option on a team that’s going to five conference championship series and an NBA Finals”.?

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Smith further spoke about why he chose Tatum over Doncic. He said, “I just look at him. We talk about conditioning. There have been times when we’ve looked at Luka and we’ve said, ‘he ain’t in shape, he’s getting in shape as the season progresses’. We look at Tatum from day one and say, ‘He’s in shape.’ That matters to me”. Smith has pointed out Jayson Tatum’s potential to become a real NBA superstar by selecting him as his exceptional young player.

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The new face of the NBA?

Jayson Tatum emerged as a force to be reckoned with during the 2022-23 NBA season, demonstrating his exceptional skills on the field. Tatum established himself as one of the league’s top players by averaging 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 74 games. His outstanding performance earned him an opportunity at his fourth All-Star game, where he made an everlasting impact. James Tatum led Team Giannis to a stunning 184-175 victory over Team LeBron at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

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USA Today via Reuters

Tatum’s 55-point effort, which included a 10-for-18 performance from beyond the arc, earned him the Kobe Bryant MVP Award. This broke Anthony Davis’ previous single-game All-Star scoring mark of 52 points established in 2017. Tatum also had 10 rebounds and six assists, giving him the second-highest three-point total in All-Star history. He’s following only Stephen Curry’s 16 in the previous season’s game.

Read More: Lifting 285LBS More Than His Weight, $163,000,300 Jayson Tatum Turns to a Bodybuilding Beast in Preparation for 2023-24 NBA Season

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His extraordinary abilities, All-Star appearances, and unparalleled performances position him as a potential successor to LeBron James. His increasing stardom and extraordinary talent make him a powerful force in the game, bringing in a new age of basketball brilliance.

Watch this Story: ?He Would Grab Me by My Shirt and Pin Me Against the Wall?: Jayson Tatum, Who Has a $25 Million Net Worth Now, Survived a Tough Childhood Before Glory

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Written by

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Dhruv Shastry

724 Articles

Dhruv Shastry, an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, brings a wealth of hooping experience to his reporting. Despite contending with an ankle injury that curtailed his on-court endeavors, Dhruv remains at the forefront of his game, displaying an unparalleled understanding of basketball in every aspect as he draws inspiration from the legendary Kobe Bryant. Serving as a contributor to ES, Dhruv's journalistic focus extends to the lifestyle segment of basketball. His reporting involves analyzing sporting personalities, delving into their brand endorsements, tracking trades, and providing insights into their personal lives. With a breakthrough approach, he is not just a writer but a tactician in dissecting the intricate facets of the basketball world. Beyond the adrenaline of the game, Dhruv delves into writing, composing, and engineering music for global audiences.

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Saumya Khanduja

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