Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum's advice on Mavericks' rising All-Star weapon resurfaces ahead of 2024 NBA Finals

Lina PortmanJune 3, 2024

0 1 minute read

Who knew that just months after Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum was interviewed during the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend by Dallas Mavericks rookie big man Derek Lively II, that the two players would cross paths during of the 2024 NBA Finals? The video of the said interview has gone viral lately, as the Celtics and Mavs prepare for the upcoming Grand Finals of the 2023-24 NBA season.

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum shared his wisdom with Derek Lively during the 2024 NBA All-Star break

Asked by Lively for advice during said interview, Tatum shared some of his wisdom with the Mavs' freshmen. Both players also played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

“Keep doing what you're doing because you're impacting a good team and you're going to be really good in this league for a long time. And he went to the best school in the country. Hands down, hands down.

Both Tatum and Lively are expected to play big roles for their respective teams in the NBA Finals. Tatum will attract more attention given his All-Star status, but Lively is also a weapon the Mavericks are eager to use against Boston. Lively will enter the Celtics' series averaging 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in the postseason while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Tatum, meanwhile, recorded 26.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists in the playoffs.