BOSTON, MA — For the most part, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is still seen as a member of the younger generation of NBA players. Despite being a five-time All-Star with seven regular seasons under his belt, Tatum hasn't even turned 27.
Yet, his postseason experience has helped him shed his “rookie” status. The St. Louis native has played in more than 100 playoff games and he could potentially pass the late Kobe Bryant for the most postseason points by a player aged 26 and under.
With those kinds of numbers, Tatum has reached the stage in his career when other players look to him for advice. During a Wednesday afternoon press conference ahead of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals, Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. turned to Tatum for guidance:
“What would you say to somebody going into their third year who hasn't lived up to the expectation that has been set on him? What would you say to somebody going into that?”
Jayson Tatum's advice to Jabari Smith Jr.
Smith joined the NBA for Wednesday's media extravaganza and fired questions at other players, such as Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. Yet, no answer was quite as meaningful as Tatum's.
“I've been in that situation,” he told Smith. “Everybody else in the world at your age at 21 is probably still in school, trying to figure out what they want to do in life. We come into the league at such a young age, and they want us to be perfect right away. It's just part of growing up. You're still growing up. I'm still growing up.”
In 2017, the Celtics selected Tatum with the third overall pick. Five years later, the Rockets selected Smith with the third overall pick. Both players spent one year in college before deciding to go pro.
“It's a process, right? Nothing was accomplished overnight,” Tatum continued. “I think you'll find a value in tough times, the ups and downs of just what life brings you … In the sense of your career, I would say, man, enjoy it. There's going to be some great times. There's going to be some times that aren't so great. It's okay to be upset because that means you care, right? You want to be great.”
In terms of their first two seasons, there are a fair amount of statistical similarities between Tatum and Smith. They both averaged over 30 minutes per game, scored over 12 points per outing, and had consistent activity on the glass. The major differences were that Tatum was more efficient and was thrown right into the craziness of the playoffs. His banged-up team made it all the way to Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, falling one game short of the NBA Finals.
That disappointment motivated Tatum, but Smith, who's never been to the postseason, hasn't had the chance to grow from a series defeat.
“People believe that you can. They just try to rush the process,” Tatum revealed. “It takes however long it takes. But as long as you work hard, you believe, you got the right support system.”
Ironically, Tatum is quite familiar with Smith's support system. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was the head coach of the Celtics during the 2021-22 season and he led Boston to its first Finals appearance in a decade. Although Udoka was ultimately dismissed due to an improper relationship with a female staff member, Tatum and several other Celtics remember their year with him fondly.
“Obviously, you're down in Houston. I know all those guys, coaches. Everything will take care of itself, how it's supposed to.”
The Rockets were a mess just a season prior to Udoka's hiring. They went 22-60 overall, finished 14th out of fifteen Western Conference teams, and obviously missed the playoffs. This season, Houston was a more respectable 41-41, which was its first .500 or above finish in four years.
Things seem to be improving in H-Town, and Smith might have his first taste of the NBA Playoffs sooner rather than later. Like Tatum said, it's a process, but opportunities should present themselves with patience.
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