Boston Celtics stars shine bright: 3 takeaways from All-Star Weekend

Jayson Tatum represents nicely

Though Jayson Tatum didn’t defend his Skills Challenge title the way he predicted it, being involved in NBA All-Star Weekend as an actual All-Star was the biggest accomplishment for the Boston Celtics young, rising superstar.

As part as the winning team, Tatum contributed with six points off the bench for Team LeBron, representing the Celtics nicely.

But what made the night extra special for Jayson Tatum, as well as the other NBA All-Stars on the court, was how the night belonged to Kobe Bryant.

With all of Team LeBron wearing No. 2 in honor of Bryant’s daughter Gigi and Team Giannis wearing No. 24 in honor of Kobe, Tatum was extra emotional to see his first All-Star Game jersey because of the influence Kobe Bryant had on his young career.

"“He was the reason I started playing basketball,” Tatum reflected, via NBC Sports Boston. “To have him reach out and try and help me, wanna work with me was something I would never forget.”"

That influence has been showing leading up to the All-Star game.  Jayson Tatum has really taken his star and has been shining for the Boston Celtics, highlighted by a 39-point performance in the last game heading into the All-Star break against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Again, just six points in his first All-Star appearance, but it really seems to be just the beginning for the Celtics young All-Star, who is certainly on his way to many All-Star appearances.