Paul Pierce explains how he joined Jayson Tatum’s ‘help system’ throughout summer season exercises

Celtics

“He’s one of many high 5 gamers within the league, so it’s an honor to be there and see him undergo his journey.”

The Celtics Jayson Tatum gets a hand from NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce as he leaves the game. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is in between them. The Boston Celtics hosted the Milwaukee Bucks for Game Seven of their NBA basketball Eastern Conference Semi-Final Playoff series at the TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum and Paul Pierce have taken half in summer season exercises collectively. Jim Davis / The Boston Globe

Jayson Tatum has already established himself as one of many high stars within the NBA. 

However after one other disheartening postseason exit in opposition to the Miami Warmth within the 2023 Jap Convention Finals, the Celtics franchise ahead is getting into a pivotal season with a roster tabbed as a title favourite. 

All through the summer season, Tatum has posted quite a few movies of him engaged on his craft, each on the courtroom and within the gymnasium.

A well-recognized face throughout Tatum’s offseason reps has been Celtics legend Paul Pierce, who provided up loads of reward for the four-time All-Star throughout an look on Showtime Basketball’s “KG Licensed”.

“It jogs my memory of the method that I used to undergo to prepare for the season,” Pierce instructed Kevin Garnett of understanding with Tatum over the summer season. “Simply with the ability to watch him, and seeing him do the issues that make him nice — it’s an honor.

“He’s one of many high 5 gamers within the league, so it’s an honor to be there and see him undergo his journey to see him prepare. I’m there actually on some help, simply to see his development. He’s already on the high of the meals chain, so I’m simply a part of being a help system.”

Based on Pierce, it was his former Celtics teammate — and present Boston assistant coach — in Sam Cassell who inspired each he and Tatum to start their offseason reps collectively. 

“Actually, I went with Sam to look at his exercise. So sort of Sam [initiated it],” Pierce stated, as transcribed by Chris Forsberg on NBC Sports activities Boston. “With that entire factor, with me and him, I’m simply right here for help. And it’s getting me again in form.”

Tatum has commonly praised Pierce for his accomplishments on the parquet ground, regardless that he was a Kobe Bryant fan rising up.

In an interview with NBA writer and insider Jeff Goodman earlier this month, Tatum listed Pierce among the many biggest to ever play for the Celtics — noting that he desires to hitch such uncommon firm as he continues his personal taking part in profession.

“I might like to be on the Mount Rushmore of Celtics,” Tatum instructed Goodman. “Chicken, Russell, Paul Pierce and people guys. They paved the way in which. The one factor all these guys have is chips. I’ve to get to the highest of the mountain to even be thought-about as a type of guys. I need to be an all-time nice, I need to be referred to as a winner, and I imagine I might be.”

Although Tatum is arguably among the best pure scorers within the sport at present, former Celtics guard Tony Allen believes that the 25-year-old ahead can nonetheless be taught a lot from Pierce as he seems to be to guide Boston to that elusive 18th championship. 

“That search and destroy mentality,” Allen, additionally a visitor on “KG Licensed”, stated of what Tatum can acquire from Pierce. “I ain’t saying Tatum don’t acquired it, however [Pierce is] understanding with him. I believe that’s good perception. I believe that goes a great distance, (reasonably) than simply being round some random coach telling you to, ‘Step again, step again.’ I believe it’s all about mentality while you get that rock.”