Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Gives His Thoughts on LeBron James’ ‘Problem’ Nickname

Jayson Tatum had a really incredible game in February. The Celtics forward visited Los Angeles for a national TV game against LeBron James’ Lakers at the Staples Center. He had an amazing game, and finished it with 41 points while making 12 of is 20 shot attempts and going 13-for-15 from the free-throw line.

LeBron was impressed and he took to his Instagram account to praise Tatum, calling him “an absolute problem.”

King James finished the game with 29 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists and helped the team win the game.

Tatum appeared on ESPN’s The Jump, and approved the nickname. “I’ll take that nickname,” he said.

The young player had an amazing February stretch. The Celtics went 9-3 and Tatum was averaging 30.7 points with 7.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He was able to shoot 49.4 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from the 3-point line in 12 contests. This helped Tatum get the Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Jayson Tatum earned his praise

Being praised by the king of basketball is a big deal.

“I remember he posted it right after we played them, we were in L.A. and I was back in my hotel room and I was taking a nap because it was an early game,” Tatum said. “I remember my best friend from back home, he called me like, ‘Bro, go in your Instagram, LeBron just gave you –he just shouted you out.’ I know I’ve seen it. And I’m a competitor. But I realize at the end of the day, that’s one of the greatest players ever and somebody I looked up to growing up, you know, so I still understand that’s a big deal.”

Dunk over LeBron

Tatum will remember a few great moments from the times he confronted LeBron. Two years ago, Tatum and LeBron met in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics played without Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving. However, they mad their way to the seventh game of a series. Playing against LeBron and and his Cavs wasn’t easy. Cleveland had won the East three straight years.

In the final contest, players on both teams were tired. They all struggled to score.  With 6:55 to go in the game, Tatum dunked on LeBron. As if that wasn’t enough, he screamed in his face. The young player also made a 3-pointer and put the Celtics ahead.

“I curled to the basket,” Tatum said, “ and I remember I saw him coming and I was like, ‘It’s Game 7, I can’t lay it up.’ So I was just trying to get fouled, attack the rim strong. It happened like that and I dunked it. I remember I bumped him and I yelled. I’m a pretty laid-back guy, I don’t really yell or talk when I play or anything. But my emotions just took over me.”