Jayson Tatum’s Popularity Continues to Grow

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls on December 23, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls on December 23, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum is on his way to being the most popular player in Boston

Every since his first game of the season, it has been easy for Boston Celtics fans to fall in love with Jayson Tatum because of his near flawless play and truly unprecedented potential. He has not been flashy, and plays with the exact kind of demeanor a coach would love.

It is pretty much impossible to find a single negative thing to say about him, so you should expect Celtics fans to be about as insufferable as possible when it comes to him.

When you take a quick look at the early returns in All Star voting, you get an idea of how much he is going to be embraced in Boston. He is just a 19 year old rookie, and yet he is a bit of momentum away from surpassing his teammate and potential defensive player of the year in Al Horford.

Tatum has has more votes than established players like Andre Drummond, Bradley Beal and Kyle Lowry. When it take into consideration how low Isaiah Thomas was in All Star voting last year, and you get a bit more context into how much Tatum is loved in Boston.

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Obviously Tatum is well behind Kyrie Irving, but that is because Irving is one of the biggest attractions in the NBA right now. Maybe how big his lead is is a biut surprising, but he has a following that can extend far beyond just Boston.

You can bet that the results Tatum is getting is just from Boston fans. He does not have that big personality that would draw in the neutrals, and he does not have the usage of Ben Simmons that would draw in the neutrals with gaudy box score numbers on a nightly basis.

Celtics fans love Tatum as much as any team could love  player right now, and having this opportunity at making the All Star game could truly be a special experience for both sides.

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Maybe not everyone thought was Tatum would be an All Star in his rookie season, but it is easy to see now that this would just be the first of many. Tatum’s had All Star talent written all over him since the moment he hit the court, and barring any major set backs, his unbelievable potential will keep him at the All Star festivities for longer than should be expected of any rookie.