Boston – The Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was as soon as a younger desirous to beat the greats of the NBA He grew up by admiring the playoffs. However after successful his first title final June and being 27 years previous in March, it’s Tatum’s flip to behave because the mannequin that has turn into buried in playoffs, on the age of twenty-two Orlando Paolo Banchero magical striker turns into his mentorian who has turn into enemy.
Tatum and Banchero adopted routes just like the affiliation. The primary frequented Duke College for a season earlier than becoming a member of the Celtics and immediately having an influence. The latter additionally performed for Duke for a 12 months, then headed for the professionals to be the face of a determined magic franchise for an rising star.
Now, the previous Blue Devils overlap once more, however this time on one of many largest scenes in basketball. Sunday afternoon in Boston, the Celtics and Magic will compete for the playoffs for the primary time in 15 years. The reigning champions obtained the second seeded from the Jap Convention with relative ease whereas the Magic prevailed within the opening of the sport match Tuesday night, beating the Atlanta Hawks 120-95, to take the seventh seeded.
It is no secret that Banchero needs to observe the traces of Tatum. Earlier than an influence check in early January between the Celtics and Magic, the third 12 months participant mentioned that Tatum had achieved every thing he hopes for someday.
“He completed, shoots, every thing I wish to do,” admitted Banchero.
The Duke connection is deep for Jayson Tatum and Paolo Banchero:
“He has been of an enormous assist for me since I arrived in Duke … He is a fantastic participant. He completed, pulls, every thing I wish to do. ”
pic.twitter.com/d3isjuvrtz– Daniel Donabedian (@ danield1214) January 17, 2025
Since Duke has been happy with his former NBA college students and the hyperlink between every participant who has ever placed on blue and white, Tatum and Banchero have recognized one another nicely. In reality, Tatum was his mentor earlier than Orlando was even within the photograph.
“I’ve recognized Jayson since I used to be going to school,” Banchero informed the media on Tuesday. “”[He’s] One of many guys I am going for recommendation and issues like that, however clearly, now we’re in competitors. I feel one of the best ways for me to indicate my respect is to present it my greatest effort and do it as a lot as potential, so I’m excited for the match. “”
How do Celtics are approaching their eliminatory collection with The Magic?
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Boston’s man plans to make the identical by treating Banchero as a competitor in the intervening time, and never a good friend.
“These are the playoffs,” Tatum mentioned in coaching on Wednesday. “So now, simply having an understanding of like” no mates “there. Nothing else issues along with doing every thing I can to assist my group win. And, you understand, it isn’t actually time for one thing else.”
Jayson Tatum by going through his good friend and colleague Duke Blue Satan Paolo Banchero within the playoffs:
“The easy truth of understanding that there are not any mates there. Nothing else issues along with doing every thing I can to assist my group win. ”
(Q: @Noadalzell)) pic.twitter.com/a1Keur8npw
– Daniel Donabedian (@ danield1214) April 16, 2025
In the course of the common season of 2024-25 Magic prevailed in two of their three conferences with the Celtics. Though the ultimate match introduced A group of critically heartless CelticsBoston has been with out victory in Orlando since October 2022.
“We do not fear about something apart from magic in the intervening time,” mentioned Tatum. “We don’t look past the second, the third or the fourth spherical. We should attempt to get out of it. And that is all we’re in thoughts, making an attempt to arrange for match 1.”
Even if the Celtics are heavy favorites within the first spherical and beat magic thrice consecutive to TD Backyard (all of at the least 17 factors), Tatum and Firm give them the best respect. That is how the C approached virtually all their opponents within the common season, which helped them end 61-21 in whole and a 33-8 franchise document on the street.
On a smaller scale, Tatum considers Banchero in the identical means. Whereas Tatum has a hoop, extra head semi -fittings of stars and seniority, he is aware of that Banchero deserves to be taken critically.
“He tries to guide his group in an eliminatory collection and discover methods to win, and I attempt to do the identical,” he mentioned.
