Celtics

What Kyrie Irving Told Jayson Tatum on His Way Out of Boston

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Kyrie Irving had a fairly rocky breakup with the Boston Celtics, but it appears that he left young star Jayson Tatum with some sagely wisdom before he packed up and left for the Brooklyn Nets.

Irving clearly saw Tatum’s potential. Now, Tatum is leading a team that is just two wins away from earning a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

“Ky told me this is my time and to embrace that role and be that dude,” Tatum said of his conversation with Irving, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Despite all the criticism that Irving has gotten over the years for his lack of leadership, Tatum seems to have nothing but respect for the star point guard.

“Ky is like my big brother,” said Tatum. “We still talk to this day, and we’ve talked a few times these playoffs. He always encourages me to be special. Having that relationship with him and having somebody like him in my ear at a young age, it means a lot.

 

“You can steal from a lot of different guys — Ky, Kobe [Bryant] — but you have to do it your own way. I’m one of the youngest guys on this team but I know the role I have. I know how these guys view me and they value what I have to say. I want the best for everybody and I just want to win. I’ve been more outspoken this year.”

Tatum averaged 27.0 points and 9.8 rebounds in his team’s four-game sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. He also shot 48.7 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from the three-point line in those games.

Against the defending champion Toronto Raptors, Tatum is averaging 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He’s somehow increased his efficiency from deep in the current series and is averaging 50.0 percent from the arc.

Clearly, Tatum is making a name for himself this postseason.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

‘Wtf’: Trae Young reacts to Rashad McCants saying he could score 81 points like Kobe Bryant

Back in January of 2006, former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant put on one…

23 mins ago

Rashad McCants says he could’ve won ROTY but had a coach who was ‘shaking in the motherf——g huddle’

Former NBA guard Rashad McCants was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the last lottery…

28 mins ago

Chandler Parsons says Jaylen Brown would be best player on over half of NBA teams, including some playoff teams

The Boston Celtics were without maybe their top player for Wednesday's Game 2 versus the…

32 mins ago

‘Spo gonna Spo’: Cavs player gives Erik Spoelstra his flowers after Heat’s near-upset in Game 2

The odds were stacked against the Miami Heat to pick up a win in Game…

46 mins ago

Report: Will Campbell landing with Patriots may depend on whether team gets ‘fair deal’ to trade down

As a consolation prize for a woeful 2024 season that was marred by losing, the…

49 mins ago

Report: ‘Most of the league’ has been contacted about Jalen Ramsey, including Rams, Lions and Eagles

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is one of the more notable players in the league…

53 mins ago