USA Today via Reuters
May 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) smiles while warming up for game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
USA Today via Reuters
May 14, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) smiles while warming up for game seven of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports | Courtesy: Reuters
Nicknames are one of the most important aspects of a player’s identity. These monikers shape a player’s legacy and have a lasting impact on popular culture. The NBA, for one, is littered with nicknames ranging from iconic to obscure. These unique monikers have the ability to capture a part of the player’s larger-than-life persona. For example, LeBron James is widely known as “King James,” reflecting his stature in basketball; Kevin Durant goes by “The Slim Reaper” because of his lean figure and devastating scoring ability; and the list goes on. While these nicknames are fun, the Chinese variants are even more fascinating!
A few hours after Jayson Tatum led the short-handed Boston Celtics to victory past the Philadelphia 7ers, he was made aware of the bizarre nickname he had earned in China. And the Duke alum was left speechless upon hearing the rather peculiar (read: cute) nickname.
Jayson Tatum reacts to his Chinese nickname
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The NBA is one of the most followed US sports leagues in China, and Chinese fans take the cake for crafting the best nicknames. They have come up with their own version by altering the traditional translations of the English monikers. Some are sure to tickle your funny bone. For one, Giannis Antetokounmpo is known as “Letters Bro” because his last name has too many letters! Klay Thompson is called “The Buddha” since his short, curly hair is reminiscent of Buddha’s hairstyle in traditional Chinese art. Similarly, Jayson Tatum has also earned an unusual nickname.
It?s official: @jaytatum0 has a new nickname. The ?cute rabbit? ?
Vid courtesy of @CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/IhyBtGWBGH? KWAPT (@KWAPT) November 16, 2023
The Chinese netizens like to refer to him as the “Cute Rabbit” or the “Rex Rabbit”. When asked what he thought of his new nickname, the Celtics forward took a brief pause before answering, “I’ll take it”. He further added, “I think I’m kinda handsome. Appreciate it”. One fan broke down the reasoning behind the nickname:
Origin: When using pinyin to spell Tatum?s Chinese name ????? (ta tu mu) the keyboard gives ????(pronounced ?ta tu? in Chinese, meaning Rex rabbit ) as an optional suggestion.
? IchDien (@IchDien6) November 16, 2023
However, this is not the first time he has been christened with a nickname.
LeBron James coins a new nickname for Jayson Tatum
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Back in 2020, before the world shut down due to the pandemic, the Celtics visited the Los Angeles Lakers on February 23. While the game did not end in the C’s favour, Jayson Tatum came out of the game with a new nickname, given by none other than LeBron James himself. James had inadvertently bestowed him with a new moniker to go by after he shouted him out on his Instagram post after the match. He captioned the photo, “That boi to the left of me is an ABSOLUTE PROBLEM!! Keep going #YoungKing ?? #OnelegSleeveGang lol ?????”
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Needless to say, Tatum has lived up to the nickname by posing as a significant “Problem” for the defenders attempting to guard him. What are your thoughts on Jayson’s Chinese nickname? Let us know in the comments!
Watch this story: Jayson Tatum and Derrick White Dismantle Joel Embiid?s MVP Run ? 3 Takeaways as Celtics? New Duo Avenge Humiliation vs 76ers
