Bond between Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum runs deep

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2018/01/bond_between_kyrie_irving_jayson_tatum_runs_deep







Bond between Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum runs deep






Steve Bulpett Sunday, January 07, 2018

Credit: Matt Stone

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving and forward Jayson Tatum hug after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 108-97 at the TD Garden on Thursday, November 30, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt Stone




Of Kyrie Irving’s four assists in Saturday’s 87-85 victory in Brooklyn, three were to Jayson Tatum — none larger than the two for the Celtics’ final buckets that pulled them from a deficit to their sixth straight win.


But while Irving has been finding his fellow Duke one-and-done all season, he’s been lending him a hand for much longer. And not just on the hardwood.

The 25-year-old veteran quickly allowed after the latest triumph that he wasn’t surprised in the least that Tatum drained the winning 3-pointer from the left corner in the final minute. In fact, he expected it.


He knew well to whom he was passing the rock.


“We had a developing relationship before this, before he even got drafted, so he’s kind of been part of the family even before then,” said Irving of the 19-year-old wunderkind. “And that was even before I got traded. So it was already developing into a brother-brother relationship, and then I ended up coming here and getting traded here. And then from that point it’s just continued to develop.”


When discussing issues like this, Irving seems to take care to avoid speaking in a patronizing manner — such as a star from a previous stage of his basketball life may or may not have done. Instead, he always veers toward crediting the subject, particularly a younger one, for his own merits and accomplishments.


“I give him his space and he gives me mine,” said Irving of Tatum, “but whenever he needs an ear to lend or that extra push, I’m there — and I told him that from Day 1. I said, ‘No matter what’s going on out here, you can always look to me to do that confidence in you.’


“Even in my rookie season, I had Byron Scott (then the Cavaliers’ coach) giving me that extra push in times when you need it. And as a rookie, that’s important, you know, just, ‘It’s OK, man. You’re in the NBA now. It’s all right.’


“But,” Irving added, “Jayson’s been doing a great job with just being mature beyond his years.”


And if Tatum has any questions as he travels these new roads, Irving will be ready to assist.




bob
MY NOTE:  If you remember, over the summer before Kyrie was traded he and Tatum were working out in the Bahamas (great job if you can get it).  They are both "Dukies" and have that (don't understand it personally, they both only spent one year at Duke and not together, but we all know those old college ties exist...).  Irving, Tatum and Brown.  All young, damn good already and growing together.


Kyrie's attitude towards Tatum reflects upon his own relationship with LeBron.  LeBron used to refer to Kyrie as "the kid".  I can see where that would grate on me if I was a #1 pick in the draft, multi-All Star, a 25 year old man and the person calling me that was only 5-6 years older than me and not old yet by NBA standards neither.  Kyrie is showing maturity by incorporating those memories into how he conducts himself as the leader of this team.  Tatum could do worse than having Bradley Beal as a big brother and Kyrie Irving as an on-team mentor, just as Jaylen could do worse having Jimmy Butler as a big brother.



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It is amazing but good, young players get noticed earlier and earlier. So, bonds form quickly sometimes. This is happening alot now with players not staying in college for four years. Beal and Tatum grew up in the same area, I am not sure exactly when the bond with Irving started (Duke seems too late as Tatum was one and done), there must be much more to that story.

They are lucky kids, Brown and Tatum. They couldn't be learning from better players. And, with this kind of a bond, if they continue to grow, it will make it more appealing for Kyrie to sign on after this contract is up.