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Shortly after leading the Boston Celtics to a 118-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Jayson Tatum put on his fan hat and asked his childhood idol Carmelo Anthony for a jersey swap, per multiple reports.
Carmelo Anthony and Jayson Tatum swapped jerseys after last night's game.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) February 26, 2020
Carmelo Anthony says Jayson Tatum asked to swap jerseys. Looked like Tatum wrote a message on Anthony’s.
— Tom Westerholm (@Tom_NBA) February 26, 2020
Tatum admitted, via Jay King of The Athletic, that Anthony was one of the players he watched closely in younger years and that he looked up to the 10-time All-Star growing up.
Jayson Tatum on swapping jerseys with Carmelo Anthony tonight: “Oh man. Besides Kobe, Melo’s probably one of my top three favorite players. I studied him so much growing up. I’m one of his biggest fans.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 26, 2020
Anthony, on the one hand, commended Tatum for his emergence as a star this season and added that he loves watching the 22-year old play.
Carmelo Anthony on Jayson Tatum: "I love him. He’s a guy that is establishing himself as we're all witnessing, we’re all watching. I love his game, I love watching him play."
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) February 26, 2020
Watching Tatum, you can certainly see some Carmelo Anthony mannerisms in his game with his ability to score from nearly anywhere on the floor — be it from three, down on the post, or driving to the bucket, just like Melo did in his heyday.
Anthony got to see Tatum up close and personal on Tuesday as the Celtics star turned in yet another magnificent performance.
Tatum scored 36 points, his third 30-plus point outing in four games, to go along with a career-high eight three-pointers on 14-of-22 shooting from the field. Melo, meanwhile, scored 14 points on 14 shot attempts on Tuesday's defeat.
Tatum has been on fire over the past month for the Celtics. In 10 games this February, the former 3rd overall pick is averaging 30.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. He is also shooting 50.0 percent from the field and a scorching 49.5 percent from three, while making 4.5 triples per game.
Tatum is establishing himself as a legitimate star in this league and this recent stretch is a clear indication that he is ready to take off as Boston's face of the franchise.
