"He's only scratching the surface people" — Reggie Miller shares picture alongside Jayson Tatum with powerful message
For its 50th anniversary, Team USA came together in Las Vegas, and legends converged to swap tales while basking in a glorious legacy of American basketball. That includes Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller, who also paid a big compliment to rising superstar Jayson Tatum.
Miller, another sharpshooter known for iconic clutch performances, shared a photo on his Instagram posing with Celtics star Tatum. The caption, however, was what truly resonated:
"So PROUD of @jayttatum0!!! Love the work he puts in on and off the court to the best, he's only scratching the surface people"
These words carry significant weight coming from Miller, a man who spent his career battling the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. His praise for Tatum isn't empty, it's a torch being passed to the younger generation.
Tatum's rise has been nothing short of phenomenal. Drafted by the Celtics in 2017, he's blossomed into a cornerstone of the franchise. He's already a five-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection, and he led Boston to the NBA championship in 2024.
The forward's scoring prowess is undeniable, and his ability to create his own shot is a nightmare for defenders. Tatum also holds the record for the most playoff points scored in the first seven seasons of his career by any player.
Team USA has a rich history of iconic forwards, including Larry Bird, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Reggie Miller's social media post isn't just a photo, it's a prediction. He believes Jayson Tatum is on the path to joining those legends and putting his name in American basketball history.
Jayson Tatum reflects on playing alongside LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant for Team USA
Jayson Tatum, fresh off his NBA championship win with the Celtics, is experiencing another kind of fame rubbing shoulders with basketball royalty. The Boston Celtics' superstar recently joined Carmelo Anthony and co-host The Kid Mero on their podcast "7PM in Brooklyn."
The conversation naturally turned to Team USA, with a star-studded roster boasting LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Tatum identified them as the three best players in NBA history and said he was honoured to share the court with them.
"I've been in the league for seven years, so I've played against all these guys. You know on that level and had to go against KD in the playoffs twice and 'Bron, and played against Steph in the Finals. So I have that level of appreciation for them. ... We did photos the other day and those three went off to the side and took pictures. I had to take a step back and be like, 'Man, those are the three best players to ever play this game,'" Tatum said.
"We all teammates right now going to try and win a gold medal. ... I don't know if it was a fan or the kid in me, but I was like, 'Man, this is dope. I'm on a team with KD, 'Bron and Steph," the NBA champ added.
Tatum played with Kevin Durant on Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and they won a gold medal. This will be the first time he plays alongside LeBron James and Steph Curry in an international competition and on the biggest stage of all. This team may be considered one of the best ever assembled.