Jayson Tatum Grateful for Kobe Bryant's Criticism: 'It's Helpful Information'
Former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant analyzed the game of Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum on his ESPN+ series Detail, and Tatum appreciated the feedback Bryant offered.
"That was really cool for me. Growing up, [Bryant] was my favorite player. That was really a special moment for me," he said, per Chris Forsberg of ESPN.com. "I've probably watched [the Detail video] like 25 times already. It's very helpful information that I can take with me."
Tatum said one moment he learned a lot from was when Bryant pointed out how the Celtics wing didn't always have the cleanest footwork or angles as he drove to the basket from the corner, aiming his foot toward the midcourt line.
"It was something that he noticed—and I mean, it made a lot of sense when he pointed it out," he said.
There hasn't been much worth critiquing in Tatum's superb rookie season, of course. The 20-year-old averaged 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in his first NBA campaign, but he's played like a savvy veteran in the playoffs, offering the Celtics 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest.
He's a finalist for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award alongside Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons and Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.
His poise, ability to beat his defender one-on-one to create his own offense and his length and determination on the defensive end have been crucial in Boston's surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals and 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Few people expected the Celtics to reach this point, given the absence of veterans Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, who are sidelined with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.
But the emergence of Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, combined with the steady brilliance of Al Horford on both ends, the team's suffocating defense and head coach Brad Stevens' continued ascension as one of the NBA's best coaches has left the Celtics on the precipice of the NBA Finals.
It would appear the potential of both these Celtics and Tatum is endless. But for Tatum to reach superstar status, cleaning up some of the small weaknesses in his game—the type that top players will observe and exploit, much as Bryant noticed—will be an important part of his growth.
