Jayson Tatum has rapidly ascended to become one of the NBA’s most captivating talents. In a revealing conversation on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast,’ the Boston Celtics forward offered a glimpse into his mindset, influences, and early career experiences. This interview, conducted when Tatum was just beginning to make his mark in the league, provides valuable insights into the player he was then and the superstar he was becoming. One of the intriguing points that emerged from this discussion was Jayson Tatum’s age at that pivotal juncture in his career.
During the podcast, Bill Simmons directly asks Tatum, “So how old are you, 20?” Tatum responds, “20 and a half.” This straightforward exchange places Jayson Tatum at approximately 20 and a half years old at the time of this interview. This detail is crucial for understanding the context of his reflections and aspirations shared in the conversation. To put this in perspective, this interview occurred relatively early in Tatum’s NBA journey, highlighting his maturity and awareness even at a young age.
One of the central themes of the podcast was Tatum’s deep admiration for Kobe Bryant. When Simmons inquired about Tatum’s favorite player growing up, Tatum emphatically stated, “No, my favorite player was Kobe.” This revelation underscores the significant impact Kobe had on young players like Tatum. He recounted watching Kobe’s Detail episode about him “like 70 times,” emphasizing Kobe’s profound influence. For a player still in his early twenties, having such a strong connection to a legend like Kobe Bryant speaks volumes about his dedication and ambition from a young age. Tatum’s childhood aspirations were not just about playing in the NBA, but specifically about emulating Kobe, saying, “when I was like 4 or 5, I’d just always tell—my mom would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older. And I would just be like, ‘I wanna be Kobe.'”
Further into the interview, Tatum elaborated on learning from his idols, mentioning, “I took a little bit from everybody. Especially like, I studied a lot of Paul George and Melo when I was in high school.” However, Kobe remained a constant source of inspiration from his earliest basketball memories. This blend of studying contemporary players and idolizing a legend like Kobe shaped Tatum’s development as a young player. His approach to learning and improving, even at just 20 and a half years old, reflects a mature and dedicated athlete eager to absorb knowledge from the best.
The conversation also touched upon Tatum’s relationship with Kobe beyond fandom. Simmons jokingly expresses his disapproval of Tatum becoming friends with Kobe, given Kobe’s Lakers affiliation. However, this leads to Tatum sharing valuable insights from his interactions with Bryant. Tatum described seeking to understand Kobe’s mindset, “I tried to get into his mind and see how he went about things. Just trying to get better each year, what he wanted to improve year after year so he didn’t backtrack or be complacent.” This quest for continuous improvement, inspired by Kobe, highlights Tatum’s proactive approach to his career even in his early twenties. He further detailed Kobe’s mentorship, explaining, “When we were working out, his thing was just trying to break the game down and make it as simple as possible.” Learning directly from Kobe at such a young age was an invaluable experience for Tatum, shaping his understanding of the game and his work ethic.
Another significant aspect of the podcast was the discussion about Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Simmons inquired about when Tatum recognized Stevens’ exceptional coaching abilities. Tatum’s response, “Right away,” underscores the immediate impact Stevens had on him. He recounted a specific play from a game against Philadelphia, highlighting Stevens’ strategic brilliance. Describing Stevens’ play-calling, Tatum remarked, “when it worked just how he said it was going to work, I was like, ‘Wow. That was crazy.'” For a young player like Tatum, experiencing such tactical acumen from his coach early in his career was crucial for his development and trust in the coaching staff. Stevens’ ability to design plays and empower all players, as Tatum noted, contributed significantly to the Celtics’ team dynamic and Tatum’s growth within that system.
In conclusion, the interview on ‘The Bill Simmons Podcast’ offers a fascinating snapshot of Jayson Tatum as a young, emerging star in the NBA. At approximately 20 and a half years old during this conversation, Tatum’s insights into his basketball idols, his relationship with Kobe Bryant, and his admiration for Brad Stevens reveal a player wise beyond his years. Understanding Jayson Tatum’s age at this point in his career enriches our appreciation of his rapid development and the foundation he was building for his future superstardom. This early interview serves as a valuable testament to Tatum’s dedication, learning mindset, and the influences that shaped him into the player he is today.
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