The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have won the most NBA titles, and their rivalry has often proved decisive during the last 70 years. As a result, it is unusual for a member of this team to profess admiration for the great stars on the opposing front line.

There are, however, exceptions. Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is a typical example, as his boyhood idol was Kobe Bryant, a great who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years.

Jayson Tatum does not hide or shy to admit that he always looks up to Kobe Bryant as a role model. The Sporting News will delve deeper into Jayson Tatum’s thoughts on one of the best players in NBA history in this piece.

Why is Jayson Tatum so taken with Kobe Bryant?

Jayson Tatum, who was taken third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft, has stated that Kobe Bryant has been his idol since boyhood. Jayson Tatum stressed this again in the 2018 Eastern Finals against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, when LeBron James was regarded the NBA’s successor to Kobe Bryant’s legacy.

“The Lakers are a team I’ve admired since I was a child, and Kobe Bryant is the main reason I love basketball.” He was, is, and always will be the player I most admire.

I enjoy how he has great scoring shots, especially when you look at his technique when he hops. Kobe Bryant was driven to be the best player he could be. “He takes his training seriously, always knows how to motivate himself, and has the will to fight like an assassin,” Jayson Tatum said.

Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, told Slam Magazine in 2022 that Tatum had always wanted to study and become Kobe Bryant when he grew up.

Jayson Tatum later told JJ Redick on the podcast “The Old Man & The Three”: “There are two happiest moments in my life.” My son’s birth and the day I went to my room. During practice, I met Kobe Bryant for the first time and received some incredibly helpful advice from him.

That was a day I’ll never forget. It’s tough to put into words how it feels to practice with your idol. “It was the happiest day of my basketball career,” said Jayson Tatum.

Even while wearing a Boston Celtics jersey and fighting against Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, Jayson Tatum always displayed admiration for his predecessor.

Jayson Tatum pays homage to Kobe Bryant

Jayson Tatum not only demonstrated his gratitude and respect for Kobe Bryant through words, but also through several actions. When the Los Angeles Lakers star died in a helicopter accident with his daughter Gianna in 2020, Jayson Tatum paid respect with photographs of Kobe Bryant and a choking status statement.

“My heart is shattered. You are my idol and my hero. You are the reason I began playing basketball and fell in love with it. I’ve always wanted to play basketball since I was a kid. I aspire to be like you, and I want you to be my mentor on my journey.

Above all, I want to thank you for what you’ve brought into my life. You have inspired me, and I am sincerely grateful beyond words. A terribly tragic day. Kobe and Gianna, rest in peace.”

To show his appreciation for Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum tattooed the number 24 with two Black Mamba snakes (Kobe Bryant’s nickname) on his leg. Tatum wears an armband on his left arm every time he steps onto the court, just like Kobe Bryant did throughout his career.

Jayson Tatum even texted the late Kobe Bryant’s phone number saying “I have your blessings” before donning a purple armband with the number printed on victory in Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals. 24 and entered the field. Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals that year, but they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors.

Jayson Tatum donned a practice shirt with the same pattern as Kobe Bryant wore during his trial spell with the Boston Celtics when he was a young player during a practice session before the 2022 NBA Finals series.

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With all due respect to Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum wished to play for the Los Angeles Lakers so much that he hoped his name would be called in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft. However, this remained the case. It was all a dream.

“That year, the Lakers had the second pick, and I thought I could make my dream come true.” “However, they didn’t seem to care,” Jayson Tatum said ESPN during an interview at the 2022 NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum broke the All-Star Game scoring record with 55 points in 2023, earning him the MVP (Best Player) trophy. It’s even more poignant when the title is “Kobe Bryant All-Star Game”. According to Jayson Tatum:

With Jayson Tatum becoming an indispensable member of the Boston Celtics, it’s tough to see him donning a Los Angeles Lakers jersey like Kobe Bryant. However, Jayson Tatum has been accompanied by the spirit of Kobe Bryant, or “The Fighting Spirit of the Mamba Snake,” since the day he entered the professional arena.