Jayson Tatum considers the passing of Kobe Bryant four years ago. The All-Star forward discusses the Olympics, the greatest Boston Celtics team he has ever played for, the Los Angeles Lakers legacy, and more.
Jayson Tatum wishes he could have asked Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant a lot of things before he, his daughter Gianna, and seven other people perished in a helicopter crash on Friday, April 4, 2013. Additionally, the star forward for the Boston Celtics, LeBron James, has not hesitated to reach out to Bryant’s mentor to absorb as much information as possible since his passing.
It’s both bitter and delicious. It’s unbelievable to me that he is no longer with us. And the thing I regret most is that I should have given him more calls. Tatum said, “I wish I had texted him more,” to Landscape. I simply assumed that he was constantly busy. Never wanting to be a bother to him. We were acquainted. I can text him or phone him at any moment, he said. However, I was on the verge of fear. I can only imagine the amount of work he has on his plate. I wish not to disturb him. And it goes without saying that I wish I had sought out further after what transpired. I was interested to know the response to so many of the queries I had. I learned a lesson from not calling him as often as I should have.
I no longer hold back from veteran players in the league, such as “Bron.”I talk to Bron via text and phone a lot on anything from basketball to body care to off-court business decisions. All you need to do is ask, and people will be happy to help.
Here is a Q&A with Tatum from a promotional interview provided by Ruffles. In it, he discusses more about Bryant, his desire to win his first NBA championship with the Celtics, his fifth appearance as an NBA All-Star, his hope that his teammates will be able to join him in Indianapolis, his desire to go back to the Olympics, and other things. Kobe Bryant
Even though Kobe Bryant passed away four years ago, what kind of an impact has he had and will continue to have worldwide?
Even now, it is clear how much of an influence he had on very many people worldwide. Even as a child who grew up hundreds of miles away from Los Angeles, I was envious of him and wanted to adopt his style of play, demeanor, and way of thinking after watching him play, interview, and work out. It’s truly amazing how someone who lives so far from me can have such an influence on me; in fact, they play a major role in why I am who I am now and have come this far.
He was my childhood hero, and I was fortunate enough to be able to get to know him on a more intimate level once I joined the league. I therefore constantly try to honor him.
What is the one thing Kobe Bryant told you that you still remember the most
His state of mind. How much would it mean to you to win a championship or to be the finest player you can be?’ he questioned me. Whether it’s giving up leisure time or being a decent family member, what are you really prepared to give up to be that? Are you making the most of your limited time to the fullest extent possible? What is the true significance of that to you?
In 2022, you attempted to reach the NBA Finals once but were unsuccessful. What would it mean to you to win one of the five NBA titles that Kobe Bryant has?
It would mean everything, right? This is my seventh year in the league and four conference finals and one Finals appearance, like you said. That’s the thing. That’s the only thing I really haven’t done and being so close and knowing how hard it is to get to that point and not getting over that hump. So, it is overdue. It is long overdue, but I have a good feeling about it. Everything to Know About the Ravens vs. Texans Match
What distinguishes this Celtics team from the ones you have previously played for?
I have never been on a team with more talent than this one. This team is the most giving ever. Not that past teams I’ve been on weren’t talented or self-centered; rather, it’s just our talent levels one through five and our professional status. We have Jrue [Holiday], a former champion. JB [Jaylen Brown] made All-NBA, and we have guys who have made All-Star games. I’ve been a member of the All-NBA first team for a few years running, guys have received pay, and we all essentially simply put in the extra effort every night to win.
We are all making sacrifices. We are not averaging as much as we were the previous year. While no one is hitting career-high numbers, everyone is sharing the wealth, eating, winning, and enjoying themselves while doing it.
In their history, the Celtics have won 17 NBA titles. The banners that hang from your practice facility and the rafters of TD Garden serve as a constant reminder of that. How motivating is that?
It is, in fact. And you engage in this game to make an impression. You engage in the game to motivate others. I take it you play the game to win? I also want to go down in Celtics history as one of the greatest players to have ever played, even if I’m not sure how long I’ll wear the jersey. And winning a championship is a prerequisite for entering that discourse. That is what constantly inspires me. Joel Embiid leads the Philadelphia 76ers against the San Antonio Spurs with a career-high 70 points.
With the USA Basketball team at the 2020 Olympics, you took home a gold medal. I take it you want to represent the United States at the Olympics in Paris in 2024? (Tatum is one of 41 NBA players on the pool list who will be selected to participate in the 12-person USA Basketball squad in the 2024 Paris Games.)
I was fortunate enough to be on the team that won in 2021. We went over to Tokyo and we won the gold medal and it was tough. We didn’t get the full experience. We couldn’t bring our family. There were no fans. Couldn’t go to any other events. So, what I really took away from it was I can’t wait for the next go-around because, for one, I want to repeat and win another gold medal, but I want to get the full experience. I want to bring my son, my mom, my family to the Olympics and enjoy it the right way.
It is anticipated that you will be selected as an Eastern Conference All-Star starter. What does it mean to you to be selected as a starter by the audience, and what qualities do you have that make your teammates stand out? How many teammates ought to accompany you to Indianapolis? (Tatum’s selection as an East starter was made public on Thursday.)
I don’t take anything for granted. I’m not above playing in my fifth straight All-Star game, god willing. Even while I do hope for our team’s success, dude, I don’t ignore it. I find it absolutely unbelievable that millions of people cast ballots and that there were nearly 4 million votes cast. The league is filled with so many guys. You have a plethora of choices when it comes to who you can vote for, including me. I never consider that to be given. Jim Harbaugh was returning to the NFL as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Being an All-Star is something unique, and I watched it as a child growing up. I remember so much. I therefore always like attending All-Star Weekend. Observing the top players in the league is a lot of pleasure. You get to see all of the retiring players, which is something I really like being around. My teammates are truly like a brotherhood. Without a doubt, JB, KP [Kristaps PorziņĒis], and D-White [Derrick White] have compelling arguments. Hopefully, a lot of the coaches who are choosing the reserves will consider our team’s performance. Having the greatest record and being the top seed the entire season ought to pay out.
Two winners will be chosen by you and WNBA player A’ja Wilson to start the 2024 Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game from the Ruffles Ridgeline, a 4-point line on the hardwood that looks like the ridges in potato chips. How does it feel to appear in a Ruffles commercial alongside LeBron James, A’ja, and Charles Barkley, the former NBA player?
Yes, that was very cool. My only wish is that we could have all been there to film it together. However, LeBron, A’ja, and I were each on our own bags within the vending machine, attempting to basically persuade Charles to choose our flavor. It was cool, then. People always seem to like interactive advertisements much more when they are with other people, especially those they know like ‘Bron, Chuck, and A’ja.
I would say my favorite flavor is my flaming hot barbecue. But I like A’ja’s. She got the twist. And my son Deuce likes her chips a lot and that’s one of my good friends. I’ve known A’ja since I was 15. So, if it’s not mine, then it’s hers.