Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum enjoyed the two seasons he was able to play with Kyrie Irving, a fellow Duke Blue Devil.

Tatum has been on record saying Irving gets too much undeserved blame for what happened last season with the Celtics, who were picked to win the East before the season started, but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the playoffs in five games.

Irving signed with the Brooklyn Nets this past summer, ending his two-year run with the Celtics. Uncle Drew, though, still keeps in touch with Tatum, who says Irving is his “favorite player to watch,” via Jackie MacMullan of ESPN:

Related NewsArticle continues below
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) looks to pass the ball against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half at Smoothie King Center.
NBA rumors: Celtics urged to pull off wild Jaylen Brown-Zion Williamson trade
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
Celtics rumors: Jrue Holiday trade faces complications

Jayson Tatum says he talks with Kyrie Irving from time to time. His former teammate has been hampered by a shoulder impingement through the first half of the season with the Brooklyn Nets, but when Irving has been out there, Tatum has perched himself on his chaise lounge with his son Deuce in his lap to see what his friend does next.

“He's my favorite player to watch,” Tatum says. “After playing with him my first two years, I saw what he was capable of. Now, when I'm sitting on my couch watching him, sometimes I know what he's going to do before he actually does it.”

Irving missed both games against the Celtics this season because of his shoulder injury. The Nets star and Tatum hugged each other in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center after Brooklyn defeated Boston.

Celtics fans may still hate Irving, but Tatum will never have bad vibes toward his friend.