Celtics' Jayson Tatum reveals the reason why the lakers are not direct rivals in the NBA

Few NBA matchups carry as much history as a battle between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Their legacy is built on championships and fierce competition. Every meeting between these franchises feels like a must-watch event. This time, Jayson Tatum and LeBron James will showcase their offensive skills. However, Tatum’s recent comments about the Lakers have sparked debate among fans.

“I mean, I obviously understand the history between the Lakers and Celtics…I would say from my time in the league, I wouldn’t look at the Lakers as rivals. We only play them twice. The teams that we’ve played over and over again in the playoffs- Philly would be one of them, and the other teams as well,” stated Tatum on press conference.

The matchup between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most anticipated games of the day. In their last meeting, the Lakers dominated with a 117-96 win. However, both teams now face different circumstances, making this contest far more competitive. Picking a clear favorite is tough. Jayson Tatum, though, has a prime opportunity to shine. He will lead the Celtics’ offense against one of the NBA’s toughest defenses.

Both teams hold second place in their conferences. They have shown impressive consistency throughout the season. However, the Lakers have a slight edge due to their offensive firepower. JJ Redick’s leadership has made their attack more versatile. They can score in multiple ways and still rank among the league’s best defenses. The Celtics, however, remain a serious threat. Their elite three-point shooting could shift the momentum at any moment.

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball up the court during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks

Celtics legend Paul Pierce disagrees with Jayson Tatum’s take on NBA rivalry

Paul Pierce, a Boston Celtics legend, did not hesitate to share his thoughts following Jayson Tatum’s remarks on the topic: “Well, no, ’cause you feel the energy when the Celtics come to L.A. once a year…I got people calling me like, ‘Hey, what we doing for the game tomorrow?’ ‘Cause it’s one of those games. It will always be a rivalry. Regular season, you meet in the Finals. This is what the foundation of the league was built on, Lakers and Celtics,” stated Paul Pierce.

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Jayson Tatum’s comments were not meant to create controversy. However, the historic rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers is undeniable. They do not face each other often, which makes their matchups even more intense. Fans feel the social impact of this game in a big way. Calling it anything less than a rivalry would not be fair.