“Jayson Tatum is the Future of this League”: Klay Thompson Opens Up on Facing Boston Celtics Post 2022 NBA Finals

The first team to reach the 20-win mark this season, the Boston Celtics have been playing phenomenal basketball on both ends of the floor, leading the league in points and 3-point efficiency. The duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been putting up a show on a nightly basis, their ultimate display of sheer dominance against the Phoenix Suns being yet another example of this.

Despite the organization being rocked by one of the biggest scandals in recent times, courtesy of former coach Ime Udoka, the roster managed to stay put. Getting on board valuable additions this season in the form of Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White only made the Cs better.

In what it seems, the Celtics have learned from their mistakes in the past, coming off a Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors. In a recent conversation with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, four-time champion Klay Thompson had nothing but praise for the reigning EC champions, especially Tatum.

Also read: Jayson Tatum Becomes Youngest to Join the 8000-800 Club, Ahead of the Likes of Stephen Curry

Speaking to Andrews, Klay heaped praises of the Celtics and Tatum, impressed by the latter’s maturity, who is 24 years of age.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they were back there”: Klay Thompson’s high praise for Celtics and Jayson Tatum ahead of Finals rematch.

There are no two ways about the fact that the Celtics are the current best team in the NBA. Despite having got the better of them in the Finals, Klay knows the Boston team cannot be taken lightly. Thus it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Warriors guard sing praises of them, especially Tatum.

When asked if he has spoken to Tatum since meeting the Celtics in the Finals, Klay said the following.

“I saw Jayson at Draymond’s wedding, incredible young player, their whole team, I would not be surprised if they were back there. Brown and then they have great pieces around them, two-way team, I just told him I’m proud of his leap as a player but how he handles himself off the court as well, to be only 24-25, I think he is the future of this league.”

(Time Stamp: 1:11 seconds)

In what many believed, the Celtics should have beat the Warriors being the overall better team. However, the lack of experience on the Cs roster had the championship DNA of the Dubs prevail.

Jayson Tatum is a front-runner to win the MVP.

Tatum seems to be on a mission, making amends for his lackluster performance in the 2022 Finals. The 6ft 8″ forward has been averaging 30.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, shooting 48.0% from the field. The three-time All-Star is leading his team in points and rebounds.

Hopefully, this time around JT and co can get done with their unfinished business from last year’s Finals.

Also read: “Jayson Tatum is a Superstar”: Stephen A Smith Predicts Celtics’ 6ft 8” Forward will Usurp Nikola Jokic’s MVP Crown