Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has proven to be a sponge throughout his career, successfully incorporating elements of his childhood idol and mentor Kobe Bryant, Celtics Hall of Fame alumnus Paul Pierce, and many other NBA legends’ styles of play.

In a recent interview with the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, the St. Louis native revealed which NBA players he has recently been watching and studying in order to improve his game even further than it is now. And competing against some of these celebrities has given Tatum a new perspective.

“One thing I realized is playing some of these guys in the playoffs, you gain so much more respect for them,” he said.

“I watch a lot of (Kevin Durant),” the Duke alum continued, somewhat unexpectedly considering his long-standing respect for KD.

“I watch a lot of (DeMar) DeRozan,” Tatum explained, which is understandable given how much DeRozan has punished Boston recently.

“I watch some older clips of Kawhi (Leonard),” he added logically.

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“I love watching (Joel) Embiid play,” Tatum said of another Drew Hanlen client.

David Butler II is a sports reporter for USA TODAY.

“I enjoy watching Giannis (Antetokounmpo) play, even though we’re two completely different players,” the Duke alum said.

USA TODAY Sports’ Winslow Townson

“Steph (Curry) and those guys (on the Golden State Warriors), you realize how hard it is to get to the Finals, and they’ve been to that (expletive) six times and won four,” Tatum said, possibly wistfully.

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“Jimmy Butler and how much of a competitor he is,” the Celtics star said. “I believe he is underappreciated… If you were to choose someone from your team to go to war with, you’d undoubtedly choose him.”