Dereck Lively II snubs Jayson Tatum in favor of Paolo Banchero for his Mount Rushmore of Duke NBA players
Dereck Lively II snubbed Jayson Tatum in favor of Paolo Banchero for his Mt. Rushmore of Duke NBA players. Lively played one season at Durham before declaring for the 2023 NBA draft. Tatum and Banchero are also one-and-done players under head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
In a quick-fire interview with Bleacher Report, the Dallas Mavericks big man was asked to name his Mt. Rushmore of Duke players who played in the league. He named Kyrie Irving, Grant Hill, Zion Williamson and Paolo Banchero.
"Kyrie, Grant Hill, Zion and my man, P5 (Banchero)," Lively said.
Some fans noticed that Dereck Lively II snubbed Jayson Tatum, who also played at Duke for one season. Lively and the Dallas Mavericks recently lost to the Tatum and the Boston Celtics, so there might be some motivation behind it.
Nevertheless, it is his own list and Lively is entitled to his opinion since it's his Mt. Rushmore of Duke NBA players. Kyrie Irving only played 11 games for the Blue Devils, but carved out an incredible career in the league, winning one NBA championship.
Grant Hill was a Duke legend and is considered one of the greatest Blue Devils ever along with Christian Laettner, JJ Redick, Shane Battier, Bobby Hurley and Jay Williams. He had an amazing start to his career only to be derailed by injuries. He still did enough to get inducted into the Hall of Fame.
On the other hand, Zion Williamson is still in the early stages of his NBA career. Williamson battled injuries and weight issues to have his best season yet. As for Paolo Banchero, he has only scratched the surface of his potential and is the main pillar of a young Orlando Magic team looking to shock the league next season.
Jayson Tatum praised Dereck Lively II at All-Star Weekend
During the 2024 NBA Finals, a video from the All-Star Weekend earlier this year surfaced involving Jayson Tatum and Dereck Lively II. The Dallas Mavericks big man interviewed his fellow Duke product, who gave him some praise and advice as the older player.
"Keep doing what you're doing because you're making an impact on a good team and you're going to be really good in this league for a long time. And he went to the best school in the country," Tatum said.
It will be very interesting to see if the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will meet again in the NBA Finals in the next few years. The Celtics have remained intact and are primed for another run, while the Mavericks reloaded by signing Klay Thompson in free agency.
Boston might have the easier path to the NBA Finals although the Philadelphia 76ers added Paul George. The New York Knicks brought in Mikal Bridges, while the Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat just need to be healthy.
On the other hand, the Mavericks are in a stacked Western Conference wherein the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are the only two teams possibly not playing for a play-in position next season.