Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum is coming off a banner summer, having secured his first NBA championship ring and adding a second Olympic gold medal to his growing list of achievements. At just 26 years old, the small forward has enjoyed remarkable team success, solidifying his place among the league’s elite.
However, when it comes to individual accolades, Tatum’s summer has been less than ideal. Despite his contributions to the Celtics’ championship run, he lost out on the NBA Finals MVP award to his teammate Jaylen Brown. Additionally, during Team USA’s gold medal victory in Paris, Tatum saw limited playing time, a situation that even caught the attention of his mother, who voiced her concerns publicly.
Regardless of these setbacks, Tatum’s performance last season was nothing short of stellar. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, continuing to elevate his game to new heights. He’s been working tirelessly to improve, drawing inspiration from his idol, the late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
August 23 marked what would have been Kobe Bryant’s 46th birthday, and tributes to the basketball icon flooded social media. Among them was a special tribute from Tatum, who revealed a new tattoo honoring Bryant. The ink, placed on his arm, depicts Tatum holding the 2023 Kobe Bryant All-Star MVP Award trophy, a significant milestone in his career.
Reflecting on the tattoo and the award, Tatum shared, “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after [Bryant], and I remember telling myself that day, ‘I’ve got to get one of those before I’m done.’”
The tattoo is a heartfelt gesture that clearly holds deep meaning for Tatum, who has often spoken about the impact Bryant had on his career. However, the reaction on social media was far from unanimous. While some fans appreciated the tribute, others were less impressed, with criticisms and mixed opinions making the rounds online.
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“Tough crowd,” Tatum might say, as he faces yet another round of scrutiny. But if there’s one thing the Celtics star has learned from Bryant, it’s to push through adversity and ignore the noise. Tatum has always had his detractors, but he continues to inspire others with his play and, now, with his tattoos.
As Tatum moves forward, the question remains: will he add the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy to his tattoo collection next? Given his relentless work ethic and determination, it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s the next piece of ink he gets, celebrating another chapter in his already impressive career.
