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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics points down court during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 12: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics points down court during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on December 12, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Jayson Tatum has emerged as a young superstar in the modern NBA. One of the reasons for this success according to Tatum was the relationship he shared with the great Kobe Bryant.
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Tatum worked with Bryant in the summer of 2018 after his rookie season. He shared how that experience was like on the JJ Redick podcast.
“It started when we were back in the playoffs. Kobe was doing the detailed documentary thing on ESPN. We were playing Cleveland in the ECF and we just played game 1.
“We had practice the next day and were getting ready for game 2… I saw Kobe tweeted about me. I sat there and watched it 20 times in a row.
“He did a detailed on me for game 1 and then he texted me and said ‘young fella, happy for your success. Stay focused and keep going. If you’re in LA this summer and wanna work out, just let me know’.
“I go out to LA to work out with Jrue Holiday. As soon as the plane landed, I texted Kobe… This was on a Monday afternoon, and he didn’t text me back till Saturday afternoon…
“We worked out and it was just a surreal moment because just looking at him and remembering myself as a toddler, a young kid watching him on TV and being like that’s what I wanna be like. This is why I love basketball because he inspired me”.
Jayson Tatum and Kobe Bryant
Like many young stars in the league, Tatum felt a strong connection with Kobe. Most of the young players in the league were born after Kobe had already been drafted by the Lakers.
Most of these players grew up idolizing Kobe, like Devin Booker and Trae Young. Tatum is no exception, taking pride in the fact that Bryant took the time to work out with him.
Tatum has been showing his Mamba Mentality this season, averaging 23.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. His numbers have gone up every year of his three-season NBA career.
He became a first-time all-star this season and is widely looked at as the Celtics offensive leader after Kemba Walker slowed down due to nagging injuries.
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