During an interview with NBA reporter Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant showered Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum with high praise.
“I’ve been in this league a long time now and I know when it’s a passing of the guard,” Durant said. “I know when the young dudes are going to come in and do the same thing the older guys are doing. He’s one of those guys that’s likely going to control the league for the next 10, 12 years and be a staple in our game and the history of our game.”
Durant and Tatum are two of the best players in the NBA. Once Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry retire, Tatum could become one of the new faces of the league.
“His consistency all year. Putting up a high number of points. Stats matter when it comes to MVP,” Durant said. “His team is winning games, most importantly, by a landslide. The record factors into it. He’s had MVP-caliber seasons the last few years, too. So, it’s just a matter of your narrative at this point.”
The Celtics have the top record in the NBA at 51-14. Tatum is averaging 27.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season while shooting 47.3% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line.
Boston beat Phoenix on March 9 by a final score of 117-107. Tatum finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Durant put up 45 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
The Celtics host the Suns tonight (3/14).
“It’s just about competing,” Durant said. “Trying to go out there and be the best individual you can be because you can see the game pushing forward when you’re on the court with somebody like that. You can tell so many people watching are inspired by that matchup. It’s a great opportunity for us to just showcase how great the game of basketball is and how great we are as players.”
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