Jayson Tatum won the first ever Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy after a great series to lead the Celtics to the NBA Finals.
Tatum took home the award Sunday after he lead the Celtics to a 100-96 victory over the Miami Heat. Tatum finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. He also shot 4-of-7 from three-point range. The Celtics All-Star paid tribute to Kobe Bryant during the game by rocking a purple and gold 24 armband. He also made sure to note he watched Kobe film prior to tip.
After the win, Tatum shared several photos on Instagram. The last of which was a screenshot of a message he sent to his mentor, Bryant: “I got you today.”
"𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲."
Jayson Tatum texted Kobe Bryant before Game 7 🐍 @jaytatum0 pic.twitter.com/Undug3WsB9
— ESPN (@espn) May 30, 2022
Twitter reacted to Tatum’s Kobe text:
If Kobe was alive he’d say “Job isn’t finished, why you celebrating?”
— Rayden (@OG_Ruben3) May 30, 2022
Tatum embraced the challenges Kobe paved the way for the young guys with the mamba mentality. D Book ran from it https://t.co/DkDeOUFq5o
— Colson HighRoller (@ColsonRomo14) May 30, 2022
I’m sorry but this is getting to Ja Morant levels of corniness https://t.co/ujg0Ti3MiS
— Jingles👴🏼 (@JingIesss) May 30, 2022
Dawg let the guy rest https://t.co/0BRxhE1b7N
— MiamiClutchPE (@MiamiClutchPE) May 30, 2022
This shit is really so corny https://t.co/kXScemwgW5
— courts (@patmccourt2) May 30, 2022
This is so unbelievably weird https://t.co/Fpq6HC2qdK
— g (@gracephully) May 30, 2022
I like Tatum but this is so corny https://t.co/GZ4SNKaOVu
— Bones (@Boness305) May 30, 2022
Kobe died like two years ago he’s not gonna see this my guy https://t.co/VsGrrtk33t
— Sam Rice (@MrDrProfSamuel) May 30, 2022
Am I the only one that thinks this is cring? Keep this to yourself don’t post for attention. Still hope y’all win it all though. I just personally didn’t like it https://t.co/0An51pTCDh
— NCNATIVE (@NCNATIVE94) May 30, 2022
Legendary stuff ‼️#LongLiveTheBlackMamba https://t.co/ewGEI9moYj
— Dee Cee ♌️🦁 (@_callmedeejay_) May 30, 2022
Bro…this is weird as hell.
You text a dead man’s phone, screenshot it & then post it for attention. Please GSW end this series quickly. https://t.co/K2CV7g5WGD
— Kirk (@im_KirkB) May 30, 2022
I may have shed a couple tears seeing this https://t.co/d3dsdkWVW8
— Eric Urbanowicz (@EricProduce) May 30, 2022
Tatum and the Celtics will face off against the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
No doubt wherever Kobe is he’s keeping a close eye on his apprentice Jayson Tatum.
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