The Brooklyn Nets handled the Boston Celtics in their first round matchup, winning handily at 4-1. But that one loss, fueled by an epic performance from Jayson Tatum, clearly impressed Kevin Durant.
Durant spoke on the etcs show which was up on YouTube, reacting to his experience against the Celtics, particularly Jayson Tatum.
“I’ve been in the league for 13, 14 years and I started to like tally mark the matchups, the series, the players that I’ve played against,” Durant said, via Mass Live. “… I’ve had series against Kobe, LeBron, Tim Duncan, the Memphis Grizzlies—Jayson Tatum is in that conversation. He’s that elite level player already at 23 and I’m like, alright, I can see where this is going. It was an honor to play against him.”
In Game 3, the Nets got 39 points and nine rebounds from Durant to go along with 41 points and 10 assists from James Harden. But even that wasn't enough to match the Celtics All-Star's monster night – 50 points on 16-of-30 shooting. Boston was clearly outmatched in that series, especially with Jaylen Brown out. But for at least one night, Tatum was the best player on the floor.
The Celtics star heard what Kevin Durant had to say, and quickly responded with what that message meant to him.
Earning the respect of guys you looked up to💯 https://t.co/RaJBCAjWw4
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) June 5, 2021
For as good as Tatum is now, it's weird to think about how he's basically a decade younger than the marquee stars in this league. As of writing, the Celtics franchise man is just a few months away from turning 23-years-old. Kevin Durant is turning 33 after this season ends, while James Harden turns 32.
Jayson Tatum will be a centerpiece in the NBA's next generation of stars. Kevin Durant knows guys like him, Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, and Trae Young will take over the league soon. His Nets just have to fight Father Time for a bit and win a couple of rings before that happens.
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