Jayson Tatum opens up on relationship with 2x NBA champion Kevin Durant: “That’s like a brother to me”
Over the weekend, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics traveled to Brooklyn for a matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. The game featured loads of superstar talent, and arguably two of the top wing players in the game right now.
Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant battled it out on Sunday, similar to how they did in the first round of the playoffs last year. Similar to then, it was the Celtics who came away victorious.
Kevin Durant tallied 31 points, seven rebounds and five assists, but that wasn't enough to take down Boston. Tatum ended his night with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals.
After the game, the Celtics star opened up on the relationship he has with Kevin Durant. The two have been friends for some time now, and KD is someone he looks up to.
“That’s like a brother to me,” Tatum told reporters in Brooklyn.
“Somebody I’ve gotten really close with. Obviously competed against a lot in the playoffs recently. Known since I was in high school, won a gold medal with, worked out with a lot this summer. So somebody that I respect a lot, you know. We talk often. And those matchups always you enjoy."
Jayson Tatum is slowly becoming the next Kevin Durant
When Kevin Durant first entered the league, he was something the league had never seen before. At nearly 7-foot tall, the Brooklyn Nets star has the skill set of a guard. With his ability to score from anywhere at his size, Durant quickly became one of the top offensive talents in history.
Since Durant came about, the NBA has started to see more and more big wings who have become elite three-level scorers. It's quite ironic that KD and Jayson Tatum have a close relationship as the Boston Celtics All-Star is close to taking the title of top offensive wing in today's game.
Jayson Tatum might be a few inches shorter than KD, but he is still every bit as impactful with the ball in his hands. This season, he is averaging 30.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Not only is Tatum posting a career-high in points per game, but he is doing so on a career-best 48% shooting from the field.
As far as people the three-time All-Star can learn from, Kevin Durant is at the top of the list. If Tatum continues to work with him, he will surely continue to be one of the best players of this generation.