The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have had a legendary rivalry. The Celtics have won 18 titles, the most in league history, with the Lakers coming in just behind with 17.
Despite the rivalry, Lakers legend LeBron James has respect for Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
James believes Tatum’s Achilles comeback deserves more recognition.
Lakers’ Star LeBron James Wants More Celebration for Jayson Tatum’s Return
During Game 4 of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals in May, Tatum ruptured his Achilles tendon in a loss to the New York Knicks – a series New York won in six. It seemed certain that Tatum would miss the entire upcoming season. The Celtics prepared for his absence, trading Kristaps Porzingis and Jure Holiday.
Instead, the Celtics remained among the best teams in the East, and Tatum fought to get back on the court, returning less than a year after his injury.
To highlight just how significant this comeback was, James and Steve Nash discussed Tatum’s return on Mind the Game.
“It takes patience,” Nash said of returning from an injury like that. “And I think we a guy plays three days and we forget he’s been out for three months or eight months or Jason’s case, 10 months and that for a fan, they have to understand like it’s not overnight.”
“No, it’s not,” James agreed. “I mean, I think I set out three games and it when I got back on the floor, I felt like I was so far removed from the game. It don’t take that long, right? It’s like I always talk about like the offseason. Like I love the off season and in like I get to really like fine-tune my game and throughout my career, but the one thing I hate the most is that less than a week you’re out of shape.”
James praised Tatum’s conditioning, emphasizing his comeback’s lack of recognition.
“So for him to be out, you know, 10 months of no basketball, having to recondition himself and then go back into live action, that alone is a milestone,” James said. “I think not only the fans, but also the peers and everybody – e don’t highlight and celebrate that enough, you know, for a guy to come back after an injury like that or just to, you know, be back on the floor. That’s it, it takes a lot.”
Both worried about Tatum’s return timeline but are impressed and applaud his effort.
Since his return, Tatum has averaged 21.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, extremely impressive numbers for someone coming off an injury like his.
Tatum is shooting just 41.1% from the floor and 32.9% from three, down from his career averages of 45.8% and 36.8%, but that may simply be because of his lack of actual on-court action.
Looking ahead, the Celtics will start the postseason at home on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. ET against the winner of Wednesday’s 7-8 Play-in game between the Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.
