Jayson Tatum has studied the greats of basketball. It is no secret that he has always looked at Kobe Bryant as a reference point, a textbook, a masterclass of how to play the game. He is known to keep his head on his shoulders and learn from the best. Tatum’s Twitter commentary reflects his insights from watching many games. In a recent interview, Tatum revealed some advice he received from another player. Apparently, a 4x NBA champion pushed the Boston Celtics star to greater heights.

Draymond Green, his opponent during last season’s Finals, apparently gave Tatum what he may have needed to come back stronger this season. The Golden State Warriors player has since tweeted a reaction to the interview as well.

Warriors forward lauds Jayson Tatum

Ramon Shelburne of ESPN gave the context of a disheartened Jayson Tatum, after being defeated by the Warriors.?Tatum shared, that eventually, Draymond Green had called to check up on him. The Celtics star revealed that there was a good friendship and they talked about life, love, and basketball. It was during that conversation that Green offered a piece of advice.

“He was really emphasizing that at the beginning of the training camp that we can’t just think we are going to get back there“, Jayson Tatum recalled. Green asserted that everybody had to work from the ground up. Green also extended his empathy for the player who was so close to winning, and yet couldn’t.

To Shelbourne’s tweet, Draymond Green wrote, “He took it to heart and is playing at an MVP level!”

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The report stated, “The candor reinforced something Tatum had realized himself while he was in his funk“. Jayson Tatum said he knew the building blocks to get back to the Finals.

Is Tatum the next MVP?

The NBA had put up a new and updated list for the MVP, and Tatum currently ranks second on the ladder. His contributions have been a primary reason for the Celtics dominating the Eastern Conference with a 26-10 record so far. They have a winning percentage of .722.

As Draymond Green said, Jayson Tatum has been playing at an MVP level. The 24-year-old forward has been averaging 30.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Arguably no one has made more noise for the MVP from the Celtics franchise since Larry Bird himself.

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Tatum spoke about winning the MVP and described the potential moment to be “surreal”. He added, “You dream about it as a kid, and for people to acknowledge and recognize that saying you’re leading or in the running for MVP, I don’t take that lightly“.

Do you think Jayson Tatum could win the MVP award this season? Let us know in the comments below.