Jayson Tatum sees LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers as good news for the NBA, even if it makes the Celtics’ road considerably harder.
During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Tatum said the league’s offseason movement has created unusual anticipation for the coming season.
“I was just kinda excited for the NBA,” Tatum said. “I think the buzz and the excitement level around this season is higher than in recent years. A bunch of different guys on new teams; there are plenty of storylines people love to talk about. The NBA is going to be super competitive this year.”
That qualifies as a measured response, particularly given everything connecting Boston and Philadelphia.
The Sixers erased a 3-1 deficit to eliminate the Celtics from last season’s playoffs. They then acquired Jaylen Brown, Tatum’s teammate for nine years, before adding James in free agency.
Now Tatum will encounter both of them inside the Atlantic Division.
Philadelphia may have won the offseason, but nobody has won anything that counts. The Sixers still have to turn a star-heavy roster into a functioning team. Brown and James will have to find their places alongside Joel Embiid and the rest.
Boston, meanwhile, is betting that Tatum can keep it in the Eastern Conference race despite losing Brown and replacing him with an older Paul George.
Tatum did not promise revenge or manufacture disrespect. He simply welcomed the competition.
That is probably the appropriate approach. The Sixers have the names and the attention. Tatum and the Celtics will get their opportunity to answer on the court.
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