Who is the youngest player in NBA history to have 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a Game 7?
Kobe Bryant at age 21 (in the 2000 comeback win vs. Portland that included the legendary alley-oop to Shaq).
Who is the second youngest?
Boston’s Jayson Tatum, 22, after his performance leading the Celtics’ to a Game 7 win over the defending champion Raptors Friday night.
Tatum grew up idolizing Kobe — he even got the chance to work out with him for a summer, where Kobe told him to shoot more — and Ernie Johnson asked him about that connection after the game.
“Everybody knows how much he meant to myself, how much he meant to this world, to the game of basketball.”@jaytatum0 became the first player with 25+ PTS, 10+ REB & 5+ AST in a Game 7 since Kobe. pic.twitter.com/SDurVO7MwC
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 12, 2020
“Anytime you mention somebody like that, it means you’re doing something good.”
Tatum has evolved into a superstar player, a cornerstone that the Celtics can build around and be contenders — just like his idol, Kobe.
Tatum takes the next step on that journey starting Tuesday when the Celtics face the Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.