Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are the two teams with the most NBA championships, and they have a storied rivalry spanning over 70 years. Therefore, it’s rare for players from these teams to express admiration for stars on the opposing side.

However, there are exceptions. Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is a prime example, as he idolizes Kobe Bryant, the legend synonymous with the 20-year career at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jayson Tatum doesn’t hide or hesitate to share that he has always looked up to Kobe Bryant as an icon to strive towards. In this article, The Sporting News will delve deeper into what Jayson Tatum thinks about one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Why does Jayson Tatum idolize Kobe Bryant?

Since being selected by the Boston Celtics with the 3rd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Jayson Tatum has affirmed that Kobe Bryant has been his idol since childhood. In the Eastern Conference Finals matchup against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, Jayson Tatum reiterated this sentiment, especially considering LeBron James was then seen as the heir to Kobe Bryant’s legacy in the NBA.

“The team I admired since childhood is the Lakers, and Kobe Bryant is the main reason that sparked my passion for basketball. He has been, is, and will always be the player I idolize the most.

I love the way he executes incredible scoring shots, especially looking at his footwork when making moves. Kobe Bryant has determination, a hunger to become the best player. He is serious about self-improvement, always knows how to motivate himself, and has the fighting spirit of an assassin,” Jayson Tatum expressed.

Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, revealed in an interview with Slam magazine in 2022 that Tatum always wanted to learn and become like Kobe Bryant as he grew up.

Later, when sharing with JJ Redick on “The Old Man & The Three” podcast, Jayson Tatum said: “I have two happiest moments in my life. The day my son was born, and the day I went to the gym, met Kobe Bryant for the first time, and he imparted some incredibly useful playing tips to me.

I will never forget that day. The feeling of training with my idol is indescribable. For me, that was the happiest day in my basketball career,” Jayson Tatum shared.

Even when wearing the Boston Celtics jersey, a team that is a fierce rival and always competes with Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, Jayson Tatum still expresses his respect for his senior.

Jayson Tatum expresses gratitude to Kobe Bryant.

Not only through words, but Jayson Tatum has also shown his gratitude and respect for Kobe Bryant through various actions. When the Los Angeles Lakers legend tragically passed away in a helicopter accident in 2020 along with his daughter Gianna, Jayson Tatum posted a tribute, accompanied by photos with Kobe Bryant and heartfelt words.

“My heart is broken. You are my hero, my idol. You are the reason I started playing basketball and found love in this sport. Growing up, I always aspired to be like you, wanted you to lead the way for my journey.

Above all, thank you for what you brought into my life. You inspired me, and I am truly grateful, more than you could ever imagine. A truly sad day. Rest in peace, Kobe and Gianna,” Jayson Tatum wrote.

Jayson Tatum has tattooed the number 24 with two black Mamba snakes (Kobe Bryant’s nickname) on his leg to express his respect for Kobe Bryant. Every time he steps onto the court, Tatum wears a sleeve on his left arm, just like Kobe Bryant did throughout his career.

In Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, Jayson Tatum even texted Kobe Bryant’s late phone number saying, “I got you covered,” before wearing a purple armband with the number 24 printed on it and stepping onto the court. Jayson Tatum helped the Boston Celtics reach the NBA Finals that year, but they fell short against the Golden State Warriors.

In a practice session before the NBA Finals 2022, Jayson Tatum also wore a training jersey with the exact pattern as the one Kobe Bryant wore during his trial period with the Boston Celtics when he was a young player.

With his deep respect for Kobe Bryant, Jayson Tatum even wished to don the Los Angeles Lakers jersey to the extent that he hoped the team would call his name with the 2nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. However, that remained only a dream.

“The Lakers had the 2nd pick that year, and I thought I could turn my dream into reality. However, they seemed not to care about it,” Jayson Tatum replied in an interview with ESPN at the NBA Finals 2022.

In 2023, Jayson Tatum set a record of 55 points in the All-Star Game, officially earning the MVP (Most Valuable Player) title of that match. More significantly, the name of this award is “Kobe Bryant All-Star Game.” Jayson Tatum said: “When this award was renamed in 2020, I promised myself that I would someday achieve it. I have accomplished my goal.”

With Jayson Tatum on his way to becoming an irreplaceable player for the Boston Celtics, the prospect of him donning the Los Angeles Lakers jersey like Kobe Bryant seems unlikely. However, the spirit of Kobe Bryant, or the “Mamba Mentality,” always accompanies Jayson Tatum since the day he stepped into the professional arena.