Jayson Tatum is growing up.
On the court, he’s adding elements to his game that make him harder and harder to guard. He’s maturing into, the Boston Celtics hope, an elite player who can lead them to a championship.
He’s quite literally growing off the court as well. The internet was flooded this weekend with talk about Tatum growing to 6′10″, and watching him on the court, it’s pretty clear that whatever height he’s added comes with a fair amount of extra muscle.
“I’ve gained probably about 10 pounds,” Tatum said after Wednesday’s practice. Adding strength to what was once a lanky frame was always a priority for him, and looking at the photo above compared to him at his rookie photo shoot, it’s pretty clear that he’s been accomplishing that goal.
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Getty Images
“I think that’s just obviously been in the weight room,” Tatum explained.
And then he held back a grin as he dropped the mic on the way out the door. When Tatum first arrived in Boston, people marveled at what he was doing at 19 years-old. “He’s only 19″ became so obnoxiously popular that people spun it into a meme, and just continue to call him 19. Now, a few months from his 23rd birthday, Tatum wrapped up his media availability saying, “(I’m) getting older, my body is starting to mature. I’m not 19 anymore.”
No, he certainly is not. In fact, he turns 23 in March, and if things go the way he hopes, he’ll push his way into the MVP conversation. As his body and mind both mature, he has the potential to become one of the league’s true superstars. But he won’t get caught up in that.
“I don’t’ really know what that means, you know, what makes someone a superstar? I guess that’s for other people to decide if you are or if you aren’t,” Tatum said. “I don’t really get caught up into technically being a superstar. I just feel like each year I want to improve, I want to get better. I don’t put a ceiling on where I’m trying to get to. I want to be one of the best. I want to be one of the best to play this game. I want to be one of the best in the game. So I don’t think that now I feel different. Every year I take the approach that I just want to be better than I was last year.”
That’s a great example of maturity, which is very impressive for a 19 year-old.
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