In elementary school, Jayson Tatum’s infractions were frequently attributed to Kobe Bryant. When the emerging star of the Celtics would watch YouTube highlights of the Mamba in class, teachers weren’t too fond of him. Tatum tells me, smiling, “The older I got, the more they understood that I was going to be in the NBA.” “I mean, education was crucial. However, I had to watch some basketball. This frequently led to problems at home as well, as he attempted to mimic his favourite move, Kobe’s unstoppable baseline fadeaway.

“I remember my dad used to hate that I did it,” says Tatum, tucked away under the foliage in the back of L.A.’s Sunset Marquis. “It was such a bad shot for a second grader.”

It’s even more bizarre that he says this in Los Angeles, the day after the legendary Lakers decided to tutor the young Celtic, during a rare one-on-one practice between the old rivals of East and West. What guidance did Professor Vino provide his brand-new pupil?

“Shoot every time,” he recalls. “Pass if you have to. But if not, shoot it.”