While most fans [including Tatum himself] like to compare Jayson Tatum's game to the late great Kobe Bryant, one man who's getting an up-close and personal look at the Celtics star thinks his skill set is more comparable to another notable NBA superstar.
During the post-Game 5 episode of The Draymond Green Show, the Warriors forward touched on a lot of different areas of the Dubs 104-94 victory over Boston, including Andrew Wiggins coming up big, as well as praising Tatum, who he compared to former teammate and Nets superstar Kevin Durant.
"The only player that you can come even remotely close to comparing him to in this league is Kevin Durant, Green said. "We all know how I feel about Kevin Durant and what I think about him on the offensive end. One of the greatest scorers we've ever seen."
Green doesn't think Tatum is on Durant's level quite yet but the four-time All-Star says you'll continue to see his growth as he gains more experience.
"Obviously he doesn't have all the experience that Kevin Durant has. Kevin is in his 15 or 16 year, JT's in his fifth but you'll contiue to see that growth."
While Green continued to praise Wiggins' Game 5 performance, he goes into a story about his time playing for Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Green claims that everyone on the roster knew it was KD's team but whenever they needed to turn to anyone else to get a bucket, they'd turn to Tatum.
"At USA, it was Kevin's team. You could see Kevin usher JT into it being his team. When we need a bucket, KD was doing his thing. When we need a bucket, alright go to JT. JT go get us a bucket. That is the guy I had the opportunity to spend the summer with, had to opportunity to win a gold medal with and watch what he's capable of. He's absolutely amazing."
Despite some of the pleasantries coming from Green towards Tatum, a skirmish between the two, along with Gary Payton II broke out in the wanning minutes of the fourth quarter when Tatum wanted to put the ball through the hoop after the whistle -- something players tend to do when there's a break in the action.
Green and Payton did everything to keep Tatum away from the basket, trying to pry the ball away from the Celtics forward but he wasn't giving in despite Green barking in his face.
When speaking to the media following the game, Tatum said Green and Payton said nothing, but says they just didn't want him to shoot the ball.
While these playoffs have made it very clear that Green has regressed athletically, he had sort of a bounce-back night in Game 5, accounting for eight points, eight rebounds and six assists.
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