On September 23, 2025, Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum stepped into the spotlight on ESPN’s First Take, opening up about his Achilles rehab, his upcoming signature shoe release, and the sting of being drafted third overall in 2017. Reflecting on the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers passing on him, Tatum revealed how his Kobe Bryant fandom made the Lakers’ snub hurt most, saying, “Kobe was my favorite player… That hurt a little.” His Duke pedigree screamed No. 1, yet falling to Boston sparked a revenge-fueled career, eliminating Philly three times in the playoffs. Now sidelined until March 2026, Tatum’s gratitude for landing with the Celtics—where he’s crafted a near-flawless legacy—shines through. X is buzzing, with @CelticsNation cheering, “JT’s Kobe spirit drives Banner 19!” As the 2025-26 season looms, let’s unpack Tatum’s draft saga, Kobe’s lasting impact, and how Boston became his perfect home. Celtics fans, it’s time to rally—let’s dive in!
The Draft Snub That Shaped a Star
In 2017, Jayson Tatum, fresh off a 16.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG season at Duke, was a consensus top prospect, yet the 76ers (No. 1) and Lakers (No. 2) passed on him. Philly traded up for Markelle Fultz—a historic bust—while the Lakers took Lonzo Ball, leaving Tatum to Boston at No. 3. On First Take, Tatum admitted, “I wanted to be the number one pick… I felt like I was the best player.” The snub stung, especially from the Lakers, his childhood team as a Kobe stan. “You see the Lakers have the second pick. That hurt a little, feeling like there was no consideration,” he shared. X’s @NBADraftGuru laments: “Philly and LA skipped JT? Biggest draft whiff ever!”
Philly’s choice to trade for Fultz (career 7.1 PPG) over Tatum, who could’ve paired with Joel Embiid (33.1 PPG when healthy), haunts them. Boston, eyeing a contender post-Isaiah Thomas, pounced on Tatum, whose 23.0 PPG as a rookie fueled a 55-27 season. His playoff dominance—eliminating the 76ers in 2018, 2020, and 2022 (averaging 25.2 PPG, 51.2% FG vs. Philly)—shows a grudge that’s paid dividends. The Lakers, meanwhile, landed LeBron James in 2018, potentially sidelining Tatum’s role. X’s @CelticsVibes notes: “No LA? No problem—JT’s a Boston legend now!”
Kobe’s Mentorship: A Dream Come True
Tatum’s reverence for Kobe Bryant, his idol growing up in St. Louis, shaped his game. On First Take, he reflected on learning directly from the Lakers icon, a rare privilege. Kobe’s mentorship—emphasizing footwork (Tatum’s 48.3% midrange FG) and mental toughness—molded him into a two-way star (30.3 PPG, 1.2 SPG in 2024-25). Had the Lakers drafted him, Tatum could’ve been their post-Kobe cornerstone, but LeBron’s arrival might’ve capped his usage (17.1% with LeBron vs. 30.3% in Boston). X’s @KobeLegacy says: “Kobe saw JT’s Mamba mentality—Boston’s his true home.”
Tatum’s gratitude for Boston shines: “Playing for the Celtics gave me the chance to represent another historic franchise.” His 2024 Finals MVP (23.0 PPG) and five All-Star nods cement a legacy rivaling Paul Pierce’s. Kobe’s influence persists in Tatum’s upcoming Jordan Tatum 3 shoe, blending Mamba-inspired design with Celtics green, set for a February 2026 release. X’s @SneakerHeads hypes: “JT’s shoe drop? Kobe vibes, Celtics pride!”
Celtics’ Perfect Fit: A Legacy Forged
Landing with Boston, not Philly or LA, was Tatum’s “best-case scenario.” The Celtics’ system under Brad Stevens (now president) and Joe Mazzulla maximized his versatility—30.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 38.1% 3PT in 2024-25. Unlike Philly’s dysfunction (Fultz’s 0.8 points per possession, Simmons’ flameout), Boston’s 64-18 title run gave Tatum a platform to shine. His 2.3 APG and 7.2% offensive rebound rate fit Mazzulla’s 3rd-ranked offense (116.2 rating). Against Philly, Tatum’s 25.2 PPG in playoff matchups crushed Embiid’s 2-8 postseason record vs. Boston. X’s @CelticsStats boasts: “JT owns Philly—three series, three KOs!”
Now rehabbing his Achilles (May 2025 tear), Tatum’s absence tests Boston’s core—Jaylen Brown (28.0 PPG projected), Derrick White (17.6 PPG), Payton Pritchard (40.7% 3PT). His March 2026 return could push a 45-win projection (FiveThirtyEight) to a 6-seed, leveraging Mazzulla’s 4th-ranked steals (8.2). Tatum’s faith in Boston—“a historic franchise”—fuels his drive for Banner 19.
Challenges Ahead: Rehab and Rivals
Tatum’s rehab, targeting March 2026, is critical. Achilles injuries (e.g., Kevin Durant’s 2019 recovery) demand patience, and his 22 missed games in seven seasons underscore his durability. Boston’s 1-2 record without him last season (108.9 offensive rating) raises concerns, but Brown’s 27.3% usage rate and Pritchard’s 19.0 PPG in Tatum-less games offer hope. The East, with Tatum and Haliburton sidelined, favors the Knicks (50+ wins), but Boston’s depth (8th in bench points, 32.1 PPG) could surprise. X’s @NBAPlayoffs predicts: “JT back by March? Celtics still contend!”
Philly’s regret—Fultz’s 7.1 PPG vs. Tatum’s 23.0 PPG as a rookie—highlights a missed dynasty. The Lakers’ Ball pick (11.9 PPG career) and LeBron era limited their need for Tatum, but his 48.1% clutch shooting could’ve paired with Anthony Davis. Boston’s 1.8 assist-to-turnover ratio under Mazzulla remains Tatum’s ideal stage.
Tatum’s Celtics Destiny
Jayson Tatum’s draft snub by the 76ers and Lakers fueled a revenge-driven career, shaped by Kobe Bryant’s mentorship and cemented by Boston’s historic stage. His Achilles rehab and shoe launch keep him in the spotlight, with a legacy already rivaling Celtics greats. Can Tatum return to lead a playoff charge? Will Boston’s core hold the fort?