3 ways Boston Celtics stars can show the “Mamba Mentality”

Jayson Tatum: remind us of Bryant through his own play and life

This is easily the toughest slide to write. Jayson Tatum was, is and will always be one of Bryant’s biggest fans. Unlike most other fans of the deceased basketball icon, Bryant was a fan back. An emotional Tatum has had to answer reporters about what Bryant meant to him, and his response was powerful:

"“He was somebody I really looked up to, and really was like my hero, the reason I started playing basketball. To becoming a friend and mentor, somebody who I could talk to and help me out with a bunch of things, on and off the court. It’s been a tough couple of days.”"

Bryant reached out directly to Tatum after Bryant’s career was over and served as a mentor to Tatum. That wasn’t lost on the 21-year-old:

"“It was such a surreal moment, for me. Just being in his presence, and being able to work with him,” said Tatum. “Even in that moment, all I could think about was he was the reason I started playing basketball. To have him reach out and try to help me, and want to work with me, was something I will never forget.”"

Out of all the players on the Boston Celtics, none have the fluidity and alpha mentality that Bryant did quite like Tatum. When he backs defenders down and hits fade-away jumpers, it’s hard not to see the influence Bryant had on Tatum’s game.

When Tatum buried the New York Knicks with a game-winner earlier this season, I hearkened back to the days of Kobe destroying the Knicks on their home-floor. That was one of the few things Lakers and fans and Boston Celtics fans could bond over: using the Knicks as a doormat.

Tatum is one of the gifted few that Bryant gave his blessing too. Tatum must continue to evoke Bryant’s memory with his play. Even if he has another 1-18 shooting night, he needs to shoot a 20th time. Bryant himself once said he’d rather shoot 0-20 than 0-9.

I’m not asking Tatum to hijack the offense by any means. All I’m asking is that Tatum assert himself like Kobe did. Who knows, maybe he too could win titles playing with the “Mamba Mentality”.

Beyond that, though, Tatum is a father. He can honor Bryant’s legacy off the court too. I will leave you with Tatum’s elegantly spoken words about Kobe the man:

"“Obviously, everybody knows how great of a basketball player he was, the tremendous things he did on the court,” said Tatum. “After he retired, you could really see how much he loved his family, his wife, his kids, how much he enjoyed being around them and spending time with them. I guess just how great of a father he was. I think people should shine light on that more.”"

RIP Kobe and Gianna Bryant and all those who perished Sunday morning.