Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum never had a backup plan when it came to trying to make the NBA, a perspective he picked up from a player he grew up idolizing and most Celtics fans grew up hating. That would be Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and the story behind that point of view came to light in a recent interview with the hosts of the “Point Forward” podcast, acting NBPA chief Andre Iguodala and former Boston forward and assistant coach Evan Turner.
The St. Louis native spoke at length on a number of subjects in the wide-ranging interview, but when it came to his formative years and what his backup plan was should he not make the league. Tatum admitted it was Bryant who had him all-in from day one.
“Growing up, I remember Kobe spoke at a camp one time,” began Tatum.
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“He asked the kids what do they want to be when they grow up, and (then) he asked the kids what is their second option,” added the Duke alum.
“He kind of looked at them funny and was like, ‘Man, I never had a plan b. People always tole me to disperse my eggs into different baskets … why would I not give all my time, energy, and effort to the thing I’m trying to accomplish?’ That resonated so much — that was my favorite player.”
“That’s what I wanted to be like,” Tatum affirmed. “So in my mind, there never was a plan b.”
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 6, 2023
“It’s like I was 50 Cent — get rich or die trying,” he added. “I’m going to get to the league or die trying — and I live by that.”
Thankfully for Tatum, his family, and his fans, the former Blue Devil made it to the league — likely next up on the bucket list, an NBA title.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 6, 2023
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