Jayson Tatum says he wants to be seen as one of NBA’s greats

Jayson Tatum is only 26 years old, but there isn’t much he hasn’t accomplished since entering the NBA in 2017.

The Celtics star is an NBA champion, six-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection, an Eastern Conference Finals MVP (2022-23), and is easily one of the faces of the league. Tatum has received MVP votes in four out of the last five seasons, which is perhaps the final major achievement he has on his radar.

Coming off his 15-11-10 triple-double in Boston’s 124-104 win against the 76ers Thursday, Tatum was asked what motivates him following last year’s title victory. He didn’t say he wanted that MVP award, and neither did he say winning back-to-back championships was his fuel.

Tatum explained that he wanted to be seen as one of the league’s best players in history when his career is finished.

“Since I’ve gotten in the league, it’s just trying to get better every single year,” Tatum told reporters (via NBC Sports Boston). “I’m very accomplished at a young age, but the truth is, I envision myself as one of those guys — LeBron (James), Steph (Curry), KD (Kevin Durant). I want the next generation to view me as that.”

Earlier this year, Tatum became one of just seven players in NBA history to notch 13,000 career points before turning 27. Among those players include Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlin, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and the aforementioned James and Durant.

Tatum currently stands at 13,273 career points and turns 27 on March 3.

He’s also having one of his best seasons yet. Tatum leads the Celtics in points (26.8 per game), rebounds (8.7), assists (5.7), steals (tied for 1.2 with Jaylen Brown), and games started (tied for 53 with Derrick White). Tatum is Boston’s MVP to this point, but it remains to be seen if his efforts will translate to an NBA MVP trophy.

He went on to say that he believes Larry Bird is “the best Celtic ever” and wants his name to be mentioned with No. 33’s.

“Wearing a Celtics uniform comes with a lot of pride,” Tatum said. “The best Celtic ever is Larry Bird, and even if I never reach that — maybe I do, maybe I don’t — you aspire to chase that guy. It comes with a level of focus and motivation every single day to be the best you can be, and wherever the chips fall, just knowing that you gave it your all, you can be OK with that.”