All smiles at All-Star Weekend
C’s Tatum says ‘it still doesn’t feel real’
CHICAGO — Jayson Tatum was smiling broadly as he took a seat at his podium for Saturday morning’s media session. The look rarely changed.
“It feels great,” said the Celtic a day before he gets to graduate from two appearances in the Rising Stars Challenge to the actual NBA All-Star Game. “I’m really excited right now. You know, it still doesn’t feel real. I’m just excited to be here.”
The feeling has been enhanced by the fact he’s come here directly after throwing 39 points at the Clippers in a well-viewed double overtime win over the Clippers Thursday. It’s fair to say he’s heard about it from his peers.
“Oh, yeah,” Tatum said. “They told me I had a good game and they were watching. There were only two games on TV that day, so everybody was watching.”
He was hoping to stay in the zone Saturday night as he sought to defend his victory in last year’s Skills Challenge.
“Just do what I did last year,” Tatum said of his plan. “Just win, and then I’m going to just retire from the Skills Competition and let somebody else win.”
But he didn’t even get past the first round, falling to Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis when he couldn’t get either of his two 3-pointers at the end to go down while Sabonis hit his second to complete the circuit. (Miami’s Bam Adebayo won.)
“That was quick,” said Tatum, who lamented that he didn’t get in any practice on the course beforehand because he got caught up taking pictures. “I should have practiced.”
And while he sounded like a confident veteran in that pronouncement — at least prior to the event — he was generally wide-eyed here.
“It’s hard to explain, but it is a different feeling,” Tatum said. “This is my third time being an All-Star but first time that I’m playing on Sunday, and it feels different. It’s hard to explain; it just feels different.
“This is my third year at All-Star, so you get a feel for it. But this is where you want to be.”
There is a clear sense of validation for the Celts’ leading scorer.
“I think it’s a pretty big deal, being 21 and being an All-Star,” he said. “It’s something I don’t take for granted. Honestly, I’m just very happy to be here.”
And happy with all that goes with it. Though the NBA players are mainly the ones being fawned over, the tables are sometimes turned for them.
“I met Chris Tucker (Friday), and he knew who I was,” said Tatum. “And that was a big deal for me, because I think Chris Tucker’s one of the funniest people ever. He told me he was a fan, and I told him I was a fan.”
Tatum is also a fan of fellow Celtic Kemba Walker, who is also here, though as a member of Team Giannis to Tatum’s Team LeBron.
“Kemba, that’s my guy,” Tatum said. “You know, our relationship and our friendship has grown a lot over this season so far, from USA Basketball to playing on the Celtics to experiencing AllStar together. It’s been a good ride. We’re enjoying it.”
Part of the enjoyment involves some needling.
“Playing against Kemba (Sunday’s) going to be fun,” Tatum said. “Hopefully we get matched up once or twice so I can take him to the post. I’m going to go right at him, so that should be fun.” Walker is ready.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’m super excited for him getting his first opportunity to play in this game. You know, well deserved. It’s going to be a good time.
“We talked a little trash. We played 2K. I played with my All-Star team, he played with his team. I won, so right now I’ve got the head up. But (Sunday is) going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it.”
As for what happens if he gets the ball against Tatum, Walker said, “Oh, I’m going to hit him with his own move. I already got it down pat. I’m going to hit him with a step-back to the right or left, which he usually does. I’m going to get him. He’s been talking some trash, I seen. Said he’s going at me.”
Tatum laughed when told of Walker’s game plan.
“Yeah, but I know what he’s going to do,” he said. “And if he knows what I’m going to do, I’m still taller than him, so I’m going to be all right.”
And no doubt he’ll do it with a smile.