The two NBA teams with the most titles, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, have also faced off frequently in the last 70 years, often ending in tragedy. As a result, it is uncommon for a member of this team to voice appreciation for the well-known players on the opposing front line.

There are still some exceptions, though. One such example is Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who as a youngster looked up to the legendary Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, a player of 20 seasons.

Jayson Tatum never holds back when admitting that he looks up to Kobe Bryant as an inspiration. The Sporting News will delve further into Jayson Tatum’s constant thoughts about one of the best players in NBA history in this article.

Why does Kobe Bryant excite Jayson Tatum so much?

Since his selection in the third round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has stated that Kobe Bryant has been his childhood hero. Jayson Tatum underlined this once more during the 2018 Eastern Finals matchup with LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, when LeBron James was viewed as the NBA’s heir apparent to Kobe Bryant’s legacy.

“The Lakers are the team I have admired since I was a young child, and Kobe Bryant is the main reason I am so passionate about basketball. He was, still is, and always will be my favourite player.

I think he has amazing scoring shots; his jumping footwork is especially impressive. Kobe Bryant was adamant about wanting to be the greatest player. “He has the will to fight like an assassin, is serious about training himself, and always knows how to motivate himself,” Jayson Tatum remarked.

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In an interview with Slam Magazine in 2022, Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, stated that her son’s dream was to grow up to be like Kobe Bryant.

Afterwards, Jayson Tatum shared on the podcast “The Old Man & The Three” with JJ Redick, saying, “My life has the two happiest moments.” The day my son was born, the day I went to the gym, the first time I met Kobe Bryant, and the day he gave me some very helpful advice about his game.

That was a day I will never forget. It’s really hard to put into words the feeling you get when you practise with your idol. It was the best day of my basketball career, in my opinion,” Jayson Tatum said.

Jayson Tatum has consistently shown respect for his predecessor, even when he was competing against Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and sporting a Boston Celtics shirt.

Jayson Tatum honours Kobe Bryant with a message

In addition to using words, Jayson Tatum showed his appreciation and respect for Kobe Bryant by doing a number of different acts. When the legend of the Los Angeles Lakers unfortunately died in 2020 in a helicopter accident with his daughter Gianna, Jayson Tatum posted a tribute post, with photos taken with Kobe Bryant and a choking status line.

“My heart is shattered. You are my idol and my hero. It was because of him that I took up basketball and fell in love with the game. I always wanted to be like him when I grew up and wanted him to be the one to lead the way.

I want to thank you most of all for what you have done for me in life. I can’t express how much I appreciate you for inspiring me. A very depressing day. Kobe and Gianna, rest in peace.To show his admiration for Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum got a tattoo of the number 24 on his leg that features two Black Mamba snakes, which is Kobe’s nickname. Like Kobe Bryant did for the entirety of his career, Tatum wears an armband on his left arm each and every time he takes the field.

In Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, Jayson Tatum even texted the late Kobe Bryant’s phone number saying “I have your blessings”, before wearing a purple armband with printed number 24 and walked onto the field. That season, Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors.

During a practice session before the 2022 NBA Finals series, Jayson Tatum also wore a practice shirt, with the same pattern as the shirt Kobe Bryant wore during his trial period with the Boston Celtics when he was a young player.

With respect for Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum even wanted to play for the Los Angeles Lakers so much that he always hoped this team would call his name in the second pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. That was still the case, though. only a dream.

“I believed I could fulfil my dream when the Lakers selected me with the second overall pick that year.” But it doesn’t seem like they give a damn,” Jayson Tatum said in an ESPN interview conducted during the NBA Finals in 2022.

In 2023, Jayson Tatum brought home a record of 55 points at the All-Star Game, officially winning the MVP title. best player) of that match. It’s even more meaningful when the name of this title is “Kobe Bryant All-Star Game”. Jayson Tatum said: “When this award was renamed in 2020, I told myself I had to get it one day. I’ve reached my objective.

With Jayson Tatum becoming an irreplaceable player on the Boston Celtics, the prospect of him wearing the Los Angeles Lakers shirt like Kobe Bryant is impossible. However, the spirit of Kobe Bryant, or “The Fighting Spirit of the Mamba” has always gone hand in hand with Jayson Tatum, since the day he entered the professional arena.