LeBron James: Celtics star Jayson Tatum reveals FIRST encounter with NBA icon
JAYSON TATUM has explained that coming face-to-face with LeBron James was the only time he felt nerves during his rookie season.
LeBron James: Lakers need to improve before Portland game
Tatum enters into his second year with the Boston Celtics tonight, having played 80 times in his breakthrough year.
The small forward made his league debut at the home of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His Celtics side would be beaten 102-99 by the Cavs, but Tatum’s big moment came when he had the chance to dunk on James.
With just over a minute played in the game, Tatum was set through on the basket by Kyrie Irving.
Ahead of him was James, and Tatum chose to jump too late, and his effort was blasted away by the four-time MVP.
Speaking to ESPN, Tatum detailed his first encounter with James since he asked for a photo as a child - a snap James granted him.
"He was so much bigger than I thought,” Tatum said.
“I felt like a kid. I mean, I guess I was one. I was only 19.
“After that, he was the only thing on my mind.
“As long as I can remember, he's been the best or one of the best in the league.
“And that's when it hit me: 'That's LeBron. What am I doing out here?'"
Tatum then revealed that Irving gave him a few words of advice as the pair walked off the court.
Tyronn Lue: I was hurt LeBron James' decision to leave Cavaliers
“You set me up,” Tatum told Irving.
“You should have dunked it,” Irving replied.
Tatum went on to make 79 more appearances that year, including 19 play-off matches.
Yet he believes the only fear he felt was when he faced ‘Bron’.
“That was the last time I was nervous for the rest of the season,” he said.
Tatum is expected to feature the NBA season opener tonight, as the Boston Celtics take on the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden, Boston.