Like many players of his generation, Jayson Tatum had his eyes shining at halftime at the All-Star Game. On the floor, some of the legends of the Celtics, and it is necessarily a very strong moment for the young Boston winger, who took over the torch from Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Larry Bird.
“Watching that was amazing. There were players I had never heard of, but I knew most of them.” he explains. “Just seeing the majority of these guys in the same room… It was a dream come true to see all these people. “
Among them, idols and models, but also his predecessors in the jersey of Boston, and he immortalized this moment alongside Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.
“They were taking pictures upstairs, and we were doing ours at the same time. We met there at the same time. I was chatting with Kevin McHale, then Paul joined us. Then then KG and Parish, and we took the picture. “
“I felt like I didn’t belong in this photo”
One regret, the absences of Bill Russell and Larry Bird, perhaps the two best players in Boston history. But tatum does not sulk his pleasure.
“It was amazing. I felt like I didn’t belong in that picture, considering all they’ve accomplished and what they mean to basketball, and especially to the Celtics. Just being in that picture with them was pretty unique. I will frame it and always remember it. “
Tatum also took advantage of the weekend to spend quality time with two idols, Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade. Again, he immortalized this moment, and he then discussed it with Dwyane Wade on a TV set.
” It’s something you dream of… I was there, sitting chatting with you and AI, two players I looked up to as role models when I was little. I had the chance to play against you, and now I met AI. It’s what you dream of when you’re a kid, and that’s what it’s all about.“
