Boston Celtics All-Star swingman Jayson Tatum revered Kobe Bryant going up. It seems only fitting Tatum has found a way to honor the “Black Mamba” in his own household.
Tatum named his French bulldog puppy “Bean.” The name is an ode to the late Los Angeles Lakers legend, who–along with his daughter, Gianna, and seven others–died in a tragic helicopter crash in January.
Jayson Tatum named his new French bulldog puppy “Bean” after Kobe 💜💛
(via humblebreedbullies/IG) pic.twitter.com/wmHtQjNJOb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 25, 2020
Tatum was also one of the Celtics to honor Kobe by wearing a purple armband ahead of the team's matchup with the Lakers in February. He promptly hung 41 points on L.A. in one of the most memorable performances of the season.
Kobe would undoubtedly be proud of the growth his former protege has experienced in his third NBA season.
Jayson Tatum was averaging 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists through his first 59 games, shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc and developing a reputation as Boston's best bucket-getter in the clutch. The former Duke star has also been one of the best defenders in the NBA this year, ranking sixth in defensive win shares among all qualifiers, per NBA.com.
The Celtics will head to Orlando, Florida as the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They could climb as high as the second seed if they play well in the eight-game conclusion to the regular season.
Regardless of Boston's seeding, however, the Celtics might only go so far as Tatum can take them.
The St. Louis native will be looking to channel some of his inner-Mamba as the Celtics shoot for their first NBA title since 2008.
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