Basketball and thrash talk seem to go hand-in-hand, especially in the NBA. Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum, however, is one of the rare ones who do not like playing mind games and prefers to let his game do the talking.
But the 22-year-old swingman admitted to breaking his rule on Friday, as he engaged in some good old verbal warfare against his childhood buddy Bradley Beal. Shortly after Tatum and the Celtics dismantled the Washington Wizards, 116-107 at the TD Garden, he said Beal is the only opponent he talks thrash to. (via Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports).
“We talked the whole time. That's the only time I really talk in the NBA is when I play against him. Normally, I don't say anything to anybody, but from tip-off me and him were talking until the end of the game.”
Jayson Tatum says he only trash talks against one opponent: His childhood buddy Bradley Beal. Tonight's PGL Walkoff after their latest duel: pic.twitter.com/HcrhTM30BQ
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 9, 2021
Tatum and Beal go way back as young upstarts from St. Louis, Missouri. While Beal came to the NBA five years before Tatum, they already had a playful mentor-student type of relationship beforehand, and it's something the Celtics main man relishes.
“It's all I dream about. Playing against my big brother in the NBA. I cherish every game we get to play together. It's always special. I love competing against him.”
Both guys are tearing it up this season and considered as two of the best scorers in the NBA right now. Their highly-anticipated duel certainly did not disappoint, as they went all out against each other.
It was Bradley Beal who put a higher point total, finishing with a game-best 41 markers along with three rebounds and three assists. Jayson Tatum, on the other hand, scored a team-high 32 points on top of five boards. But In the end, Tatum got the last laugh as he led the Celtics to their seventh win.
Follow Us
Subscribe