USA Today via Reuters
Jan 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shares a laugh with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) as they wait to check in at the scorers table during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 30, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shares a laugh with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) as they wait to check in at the scorers table during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jayson Tatum watched LeBron James’ monumental game 6 highlights against the 2012 Boston Celtics to find inspiration going into a similar situation against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Tatum would score 46 points, 4 assists, and 9 rebounds in a LeBronesque repetition of the 2012 Celtics game to sway the tide towards his team in a pivotal elimination game against the defending champions.
The Celtics would win game 7 at home to proceed to the Eastern Conference finals. Jayson Tatum’s career-defining game 6 performance would set the tone for the Celtics in the rest of the playoffs.
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Jayson Tatum watches Kobe and LeBron highlights for inspiration
It is no secret that Jayson Tatum is a huge admirer of the late great Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. In fact, he has admitted so on multiple occasions. He has also admitted that he derives his inspiration from the greatness of Michael and Kobe.
Jayson Tatum arrived paying homage to Kobe and MJ🙌 pic.twitter.com/DeSw0CyD7h
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 5, 2022
In fact, Tatum has paid homage to the two pioneers of the game by wearing apparel with pictures of them holding the Larry O’Brien trophy. The Celtics star arrived at game 2 at Chase Center wearing a jacket with Michael and Kobe’s pictures on it.
Jayson Tatum drew inspiration and paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with a 24 armband during Game 7 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/AS1IjjThvq
— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2022
Moreover, he has also worn Michael and Kobe’s merchandise regularly throughout the East finals in Miami. Notably, he wore a purple and gold armband with Bryant’s number 24 written on it in game-7 against Miami.
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Kobe Bryant‘s basketball philosophy, popularly known as the ‘Mamba Mentality’, has numerous followers in the league. And Tatum is no exception. “At that moment I was just, you know, on my iPad watching Kobe highlights“, Tatum said in an ESPN interview about his game 7 preparation against Miami the night before.
Tatum and the Celtics trail 2-3 in the NBA Finals
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The Boston Celtics are one game away from losing the championship this year. They go back to TD Garden to defend home court in an elimination game-6 against a very experienced Warriors side.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 2, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) handles the ball while being defended by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The situation is pretty similar to what LeBron faced in 2012 against the Celtics at the same venue. The difference is that LeBron had all the pressure in the world to bring home a championship after losing the Finals to the Mavericks the previous year.
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The Celtics don’t have such a huge amount of pressure. Moreover, they are at home. The Celtics superstar might want to re-watch LeBron’s game 6 highlights. Because he has a rare opportunity to make his way into the history books by beating the odds.
