Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has been making waves in the NBA, earning multiple all-star selections and leading his team to an impressive record. Recently, Tatum took to Instagram to express his pride in himself, sharing a gallery of photos with the caption, “It’s okay to be proud of yourself” accompanied by a praying emoji.
In response to one of the pictures showing Tatum hanging on the rim and receiving a technical foul, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant playfully trolled him in the comment section, writing, “That’s a tech.” This incident occurred during a game between the Celtics and the Denver Nuggets on January 19.
Tatum and Durant have not faced each other yet in the 2023-24 season, but their all-time matchup stands at 9-8, including their encounters in the playoffs when Durant played for the Brooklyn Nets. The most recent meeting between the two was on December 2, 2022, when the Celtics emerged victorious with a 103-92 win over the Nets. The upcoming games on March 9 and March 14 will mark their first face-off since Durant joined the Suns.
During a game against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 4, the Celtics welcomed back Marcus Smart to Boston for the first time since trading him. Although Smart did not play, the fans showed their support by cheering him on when the team played a tribute video in his honor.
Jayson Tatum shared his thoughts on the emotional moment, expressing his appreciation for the fans’ celebration of Smart. Tatum acknowledged Smart’s significant contributions to the Celtics over his 10-year tenure, describing him as the heart and soul of the organization. He stated that Smart deserved all the respect and love he received, emphasizing the impact he had on the team’s success. Tatum concluded by expressing his personal fondness for Smart and the joy he felt seeing him back in Boston.
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics made a bold comparison. Tatum stated that the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis by the Celtics is equivalent to the Lakers’ acquisition of Pau Gasol in 2008. According to Tatum, Gasol was crucial for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in winning their last two championships together. Tatum believes that Porzingis can be the missing piece for the Celtics’ success.
While Gasol played a pivotal role in helping the Lakers secure two championships in 2008 and 2009, Porzingis has yet to prove himself with the Celtics. However, the Celtics made the decision to trade Marcus Smart for Porzingis, believing that he can contribute significantly to their team’s success.
Matt John, a sports reporter, covers the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.
