On the first episode of his podcast with former NBA guard JJ Redick called “Mind the Game,” Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James showered Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum with praise.
LeBron pointed out the amount of success Tatum has experienced since entering the NBA in 2017.
“He’s 25 years old and I believe he’s been to the conference finals four times,” LeBron said about Tatum. “Been to the NBA Finals once. He’s 25. I didn’t win my first one until I was 28. I think Joker (Nikola Jokic) won his first one at 27. I think MJ [Michael Jordan] was 28 as well.
“I think we have a lot of expectations on JT, but he’s experienced a lot of winning in his career so far. And obviously, everyone wants to see him get over the hump, but four conference finals and a Finals appearance before the age of 26 is — that’s elite.”
The Celtics drafted Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum has made five All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams with Boston while averaging 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
In the Tatum era, the Celtics have reached the Eastern Conference Finals four times and the NBA Finals once. Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 Finals in six games.
During his rookie season, Tatum lost to LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals in seven epic games.
The Celtics look like the title favorites this season. They have the best record in the NBA. Tatum, 26, is averaging 27.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field, 38.2% from beyond the arc and 83.0% from the free-throw line.
It will be fascinating to see how far the Celtics go in the 2024 playoffs. If Boston doesn’t win it all, the season will be a major disappointment for Tatum and Co.
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