The hardest part of ‘bubble’ life for Tatum? Being away from Deuce

It’s not all fun and games in the Disney restart ‘bubble’ for All-Star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, away from his young son Deuce.

With all of the videos of Boston Celtics players enjoying themselves in the Disney ‘bubble’ dancing, swimming, playing golf or bowling coming out, you’d think it was the easiest thing in the world to take part in.

But that view takes for granted the people these players have had to leave behind — wives, girlfriends, and kids in particular, many of whom aren’t quite old enough to understand why their father will be gone so long.

And All-Star swingman Jayson Tatum definitely fits the latter category in particular with his young son Deuce, which he spoke about at length in a recent appearance on fellow Duke alumnus J.J. Redick’s “Old Man and the Three” podcast.

Asked what the toughest part of the Disney restart had been so far, the Missouri native replied, “I would easily say just being away from my family.”

“I know a lot of people have wives and kids and family situations at home, but I think that’s the toughest part for me because you go from being around your kid all the time and especially during the pandemic. I was with him every day without traveling, and then now having to go, this is the longest I’ve ever been without spending time with him.”

The toughest part for me is he’ll be three in December — he’s two and a half. And anybody that has kids know that when they’re that young … their development is week to week,” added the former Blue Devil.

The sacrifice of players like Tatum and his teammates Gordon Hayward, Brad Wanamaker, Daniel Theis and Javonte Green — all parents with young children — is not a small one, and should be recognized as such.

“He’s getting taller, his habits are changing, he’s doing different things. He’s, he’s talking more. And for me, wishing I could be there and experience all of that, which I normally would have in the first two years. Now I happen to see videos and talk to [Deuce] over FaceTime. He’s not old enough where I can explain, ‘Hey, Daddy’s going away for three months, and I won’t be able to see you’. I can’t have that because he’s not old enough.”

“If he was four I think it would be easier; he would have a better understanding,” Tatum added.

So, while it’s easy to look at the paycheck and backdrop and think these guys have got it made, it doesn’t come without a cost.

They are literally risking their health and lives — and more importantly, time with their loved ones in a moment of global crisis — to entertain us.

And while they are indeed compensated well for their sacrifice, let’s keep the human side of the equation in mind as well.

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