As you might expect, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is anxious to play in the first All-Star Game of his career.
Make that “super anxious,” as he told Celtics.com’s Marc D’Amico prior to Boston’s game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Having made good on two of his offseason predictions for 2019-20 — to average over 20 points per game and to be an All-Star — with the potential to have all three of his predictions (the last of which is for the Celtics to reach the NBA Finals) come true, the 21-year-old face of the franchise should have long been ready for the idea that he would be listed among the NBA’s crème de la crème.
Nonetheless, as Tatum told NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine — a former fan-favorite in Boston — the feeling is still a bit bizarre for him.
Per NBC Sports Boston’s Jacob Camenker, Tatum — one of the youngest All-Star’s in this year’s field — says that “it’s still surreal that I actually made it [to the All-Star Game].”
“I’m just excited for next weekend,” Tatum continues. “Honestly, I can’t wait.”
For Tatum, it won’t just be the opportunity to play the game in front of his family or fulfilling his goal of making it to the All-Star Game in what’s just his third season that makes the opportunity exciting.
It’ll be the players that will take the floor with him on Sunday (February 16). A group headlined by reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and three-time NBA champion LeBron James.
In fact, it’s his being on the same team with the four-time NBA MVP that’s going to be one of the particularly notable features of the contest:
“Oh, he’s one of the greatest players ever. So my first All-Star Game being on the same team as LeBron, you know, I can always say when I get older, my first All-Star Game I was with LeBron,” Tatum explains.
“Not many people can say that.”
Tatum won’t be a starter but selected by LeBron, a team captain for being the All-Star Game’s leading vote-getter, the Celtics forward will also team up with Los Angeles Lakers power forward Anthony Davis; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard; Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden; Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Chris Paul; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic; Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons; and Indiana Pacers center Domantas Sabonis.
(Portland Trail Blazers point guard Lillard, also drafted to Team LeBron, will miss the All-Star Game after straining his groin on Wednesday but advocated for Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker to be his replacement)
That said, there are quite a few special players — some whom will be future Hall of Famers — that will take the court as Tatum’s teammates for the All-Star Game.
Aside from reaching or winning a NBA championship, Tatum will have no greater joy or better memory in 2020.