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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was with his dad Justin Tatum on the day that they found about Kobe Bryant's passing. According to the elder Tatum, he saw his son's “soul leave” the moment they found that the news was real.
“I just (saw) his soul leave,” Justin Tatum told NBC Sports Boston in an exclusive interview. “Because he thought he heard some news of Kobe’s passing. We both couldn’t believe it. We were energetic, talking the whole time. When we found out, it was just dead silence for the rest of the trip until we found out it was real news.”
The Tatums were out and about in New Orleans on Jan. 26, Sunday. Justin was there to watch his son duel against the New Orleans Pelicans. It has been a routine of theirs to grab something to eat before the game.
Like most people, they initially did not believe the news. But both of their energies were drained upon finding out that it was real. Tatum's hero, mentor and friend has passed on.
The news came days before Tatum was selected to the All-Star game for the first time in his career. The Celtics star, of course, was one of the players that the Lakers icon mentored.
Countless analysts have seen how Tatum has integrated Bryant's signature moves into his own arsenal. Justin revealed that his son has been emulating Bryant's moves ever since he was a kid, but the Tatum patriarch told his son that he should also pick up Bryant's legendary work ethic.
“I said, ‘Don’t just pick up his moves, pick up his work ethic. Pick up his demeanor.'” Justin Tatum said.
Indeed, Jayson Tatum is one of those players Kobe Bryant entrusted to carry the torch. The Lakers may not be with us anymore, but we will still feel his presence in various ways.
