"Go Sox! Go Jayson Tatum": Mindy Kaling shouts out Celtics star during DNC address
American comedian Mindy Kaling gave a spontaneous yet amusing shoutout to NBA star Jayson Tatum during the Democratic National Convention in her hometown of Massachusetts.
During her speech, Kaling, known for her role as Kelly Kapoor on "The Office," mentioned both Jayson Tatum and the Boston Red Sox, while highlighting the criticism the state often faces.
She said:
"I love you Massachusetts. Everyone is always hating on us, but they just don't understand. Go [Boston Red] Sox! Go Jayson Tatum!"
A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kaling is celebrated for her television work and has earned various accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Tony Award and six Primetime Emmy nominations.
She has frequently been spotted at NBA games in Boston, sometimes accompanied by fellow "The Office" star BJ Novak.
Jayson Tatum’s thoughts on a busy offseason
Jayson Tatum has been in the spotlight this offseason, particularly regarding his fluctuating minutes with Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics. In a recent interview, he described the summer as “crazy.”
“It’s been a crazy summer,” Tatum said (via St. Louis Today). “I was fortunate enough to win my second Olympic gold medal with the national team. It was an incredible experience.”
Several figures have weighed in on Tatum’s playing time with Team USA, including Draymond Green, who criticized the decision not to include Tatum in the team’s first game of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On “The Draymond Green Show,” Green called the decision a mistake:
"You don’t bench Jayson Tatum," Green said. "He just won an NBA championship, graced the cover of NBA 2K, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and signed the biggest contract in NBA history. And now his reward is to sit out the first Olympic game?"
“Not playing (Tatum) was wrong,” Green added. “We all know it was wrong. He should’ve played. He didn’t. But he should have. So, it was wrong, and we all know that.”
Despite his limited minutes, Team USA eventually secured the gold medal. Tatum’s successful year included winning the NBA championship and Olympic gold.
“Winning the NBA championship was something I had been striving for a long time,” Tatum reflected. “We had come close several times, and finally getting over that hurdle felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.”
The Celtics have pretty much retained their roster, only losing Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk. They are expected to be without Kristaps Porzingis for the first half of the season but their depth has proven effective as seen in their run to the NBA championship.