Jayson Tatum on how Kobe Bryant inspired him to put all his eggs in an NBA basket

“It’s like I was 50 Cent — get rich or die trying,” Tatum said. “I’m going to get to the league or die trying — and I live by that.”

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum never had a backup plan when it came to trying to make the NBA, a perspective he picked up from a player he grew up idolizing and most Celtics fans grew up hating. That would be Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and the story behind that point of view came to light in a recent interview with the hosts of the “Point Forward” podcast, acting NBPA chief Andre Iguodala and former Boston forward and assistant coach Evan Turner.

The St. Louis native spoke at length on a number of subjects in the wide-ranging interview, but when it came to his formative years and what his backup plan was should he not make the league. Tatum admitted it was Bryant who had him all-in from day one.

“Growing up, I remember Kobe spoke at a camp one time,” began Tatum.