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Boston Celtics: Coach K helped bring Jayson Tatum to Boston

By Sam Minton

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 10, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 10, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Jayson Tatum didn’t want to be drafted by the Boston Celtics but a phone call from Coach Mike Krzyzewski changed Tatum’s mind.

In a short period of time, Jayson Tatum has climbed up the rankings of Boston sports athletes. He is the best player on the Boston Celtics right now.

It’s hard to imagine Tatum being drafted by any team besides the Celtics. He is the foundation of the team, but at one point, Tatum wanted nothing to do with Boston.

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Tatum went on the “All The Smoke” podcast that is hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, It was a really great interview and you got to see a side of Tatum that you hadn’t seen before.

During the interview, Tatum mentioned how he was enamored with the Phoenix Suns after a pre-draft visit. He got a call from his agent about Boston trading up and Tatum wasn’t exactly pleased.

But then came Coach K. The Duke head coach gave a glowing review of Boston and head coach Brad Stevens. This made all the difference.

"“My agent was like, ‘Just think about it.’ So we hang up, I’m like, ‘I’m not going to this workout right now. I’m cool.’ But then Coach K called me right after my agent did and he was like, ‘Jayson, the Celtics called, they want you to come work out. I think Brad Stevens is a great coach and it’s a great place to be. You’ll learn a lot.’ So I’m like, ‘Ugh, all right. I’ll go.’”“There was a part of me that didn’t want to go to Boston because they just were the No. 1 team in the East, they had Isaiah Thomas, Al Horford, Smart, [Jaylen Brown], Jae Crowder,” said Tatum. “I was like, ‘Man, I’m not going to play. I’m trying to get buckets.’ Everything worked out. It was the best decision, so it worked out.”"

It makes sense why Tatum wouldn’t want to join the C’s. He wanted to play right away and with that lineup, it wasn’t a given. But Coach K was right, Boston was a great place for Tatum.

He is apart of something special with the Celtics. He has the chance to win championships and become the face of the franchise.

Besides the fact that he wouldn’t be on the Celtics, it would be disappointing to see Tatum in Phoenix. It’s hard not to think that his talent would be wasted on a mediocre team.

Devin Booker is a talented player and imagining him with Tatum would be insane but it’s hard to see the Suns winning. They seemed destined to lose. Also, Tatum would have to share the spotlight with Booker.

Next. The Boston Celtics will not win championship this year without fans. dark

But thankfully we don’t have to worry about that. Jayson Tatum is on the Boston Celtics and we have Coach K to thank.

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