Boston Celtics All-Star swingman Jayson Tatum probably could have done better in the 2020 NBA Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
The Duke product won it in 2019, and related he planned to retire from the event if he came away with another win in the All-Star Weekend event.
But that honor fell to the Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, with the Celtics forward not even making it out of the first round of the event.
Perhaps the 21-year-old will try his hand in 2021 after the disappointing showing — if nothing else, Tatum could have done more work to prepare for the event by his own admission.
Ensnared by media who kept him away from the course ahead of the event, the former Blue Devil didn’t even have time to do a quick run-through of the event, reports the Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett.
“That was quick … I should have practiced,” offered Tatum.
Bam is the winner of the Skills Challenge pic.twitter.com/ufF9BcaUh5
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 16, 2020
Don’t expect the Celtics swingman to treat the All-Star Game lightly just because he let himself be waylaid by journalists, though. “I think it’s a pretty big deal, being 21 and being an All-Star,” noted Tatum.
“It’s something I don’t take for granted,” he added.
The budding superstar has been putting himself on the map of the league’s most elite players with his play since getting the All-Star nod — his first for the weekend’s main event.
“Honestly, I’m just very happy to be here,” said Tatum.
We’re happy you’re there, too, Jayson — you’ve earned it; just watch out for the paparazzi Sunday.
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