Jayson Tatum says he needs to be seen as considered one of NBA’s greats

Celtics

“LeBron (James), Steph (Curry), KD (Kevin Durant). I would like the following technology to view me as that.”

By Kaley Brown

February 21, 2025 | 6:06 PM

2 minutes to learn

Jayson Tatum is simply 26 years outdated, however there isn’t a lot he hasn’t completed since getting into the NBA in 2017.

The Celtics star is an NBA champion, six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA choice, an Jap Convention Finals MVP (2022-23), and is well one of many faces of the league. Tatum has acquired MVP votes in 4 out of the final 5 seasons, which is maybe the ultimate main achievement he has on his radar.

Coming off his 15-11-10 triple-double in Boston’s 124-104 win in opposition to the 76ers Thursday, Tatum was requested what motivates him following final 12 months’s title victory. He didn’t say he wished that MVP award, and neither did he say profitable back-to-back championships was his gasoline.

Tatum defined that he wished to be seen as one of many league’s finest gamers in historical past when his profession is completed.

“Since I’ve gotten within the league, it’s simply attempting to get higher each single 12 months,” Tatum advised reporters (by way of NBC Sports activities Boston). “I’m very completed at a younger age, however the reality is, I envision myself as a type of guys — LeBron (James), Steph (Curry), KD (Kevin Durant). I would like the following technology to view me as that.”

Earlier this 12 months, Tatum grew to become considered one of simply seven gamers in NBA historical past to notch 13,000 profession factors earlier than turning 27. Amongst these gamers embrace Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlin, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and the aforementioned James and Durant.

Tatum presently stands at 13,273 profession factors and turns 27 on March 3.

He’s additionally having considered one of his finest seasons but. Tatum leads the Celtics in factors (26.8 per recreation), rebounds (8.7), assists (5.7), steals (tied for 1.2 with Jaylen Brown), and video games began (tied for 53 with Derrick White). Tatum is Boston’s MVP so far, however it stays to be seen if his efforts will translate to an NBA MVP trophy.

He went on to say that he believes Larry Chicken is “the perfect Celtic ever” and needs his identify to be talked about with No. 33’s.

“Carrying a Celtics uniform comes with a variety of satisfaction,” Tatum mentioned. “The perfect Celtic ever is Larry Chicken, and even when I by no means attain that — possibly I do, possibly I don’t — you aspire to chase that man. It comes with a degree of focus and motivation each single day to be the perfect you may be, and wherever the chips fall, simply understanding that you simply gave it your all, you may be OK with that.”