Celtics fans were not too pleased this past summer when All-Star Jayson Tatum put on the purple and gold colors of his idol Kobe Bryant's jersey during a NBA's 75th season photoshoot.
Tatum, who grew up a huge fan of Bryant's, was recreating the Lakers icon's buzzer-beater over Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat from 2009, while pictures were being taken.
Jayson Tatum recreates Kobe's game-winner over Wade! @jaytatum0 #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/UI6HWToivN
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 19, 2021
On Wednesday, Tatum was asked if it was "weird" wearing Bryant's jersey this past offseason, ahead of the Celtics matchup against the Lakers.
"Obviously everybody knows I loved the Lakers back then," Tatum emphasized, following Boston's 110-99 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. "Not the case now."But I kind of felt like a kid in that moment. Because that's what I used to do. I used to wear that jersey and run around the house and try to be like him."
Despite what Celtics fans may think seeing Tatum in a rival's jersey, the 23-year-old forward understands the history of the team he use to root for as a kid and the one he currently plays for -- and what most believe will continue for years to come.
Still, Tatum doesn't get lost in the past and knows how special it is to be a small piece of an historic rivalry between two franchises that both have 17 championships each.
"Everyone knows the history between the two franchises, and I've been fortunate enough to be a part of that going on five years now," Tatum said postgame Wednesday night. "And I obviously understand who they have on their team -- especially in somebody like LeBron [James], that is one of the best to play this game -- so obviously as a kid those are the matchups that you dreamed about and you don't take for granted when you get the opportunity. As a competitor, you love games and you love moments like that."
It wasn't that long ago when a former Celtics captain, Hall of Famer and a top-75 player of all-time grew up a Lakers fan only to become a champion and legend in Boston.
What was his name again?
Celtics and Lakers tip-off tonight at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Joel Pavón
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