Former NBA champion makes a huge comparison between Jayson Tatum and Carmelo Anthony

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s brightest talents and a future face of the league. Fresh off winning the 2023-24 NBA championship, Tatum played a pivotal role in Boston’s success and was a strong contender for MVP honors. Former NBA champion Antoine Walker recently came to his defense amid ongoing criticism and compared him to Carmelo Anthony.

During an episode of Run It Back, Walker, a former Celtics forward, pushed back against negative narratives surrounding Tatum and even compared him to 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony.

“I disagree with it. I just think he doesn’t necessarily have a flashy game. He has a good mid-range, he can shoot the three … Kind of like Carmelo Anthony,” Walker said. “I just knew after the Olympic situation, you would see the next couple years of Tatum playing at a very high level, which he’s doing right now … That narrative, you gotta throw out the window.”

Tatum has faced criticism from former players like Gilbert Arenas, Lou Williams, and Penny Hardaway, with some arguing that stars like Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball have flashier highlight reels. However, Tatum continues to silence doubters with his production on the court, averaging 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc.

Forward Antoine Walker of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates during a game against the Syracuse Orangemen

Antoine Walker journey

Antoine Walker was a talented and versatile forward who made a significant impact in the NBA during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Born on August 12, 1976, in Chicago, Illinois, he played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was a key part of the Wildcats’ 1996 NCAA championship team. His size, ball-handling skills, and ability to stretch the floor as a power forward made him a standout prospect, leading to his selection as the sixth overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1996 NBA Draft.

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Walker quickly became a focal point for the Celtics, forming a dynamic duo with Paul Pierce. Known for his scoring ability, flashy style, and signature shimmy celebration, he was a three-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2002, 2003) and played a key role in leading Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002. However, his high-volume shooting and inconsistency occasionally drew criticism, and he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2003, beginning a series of moves across different teams.

After brief stints with the Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks, Walker found success with the Miami Heat. In 2006, he played a crucial role in Miami’s championship run, serving as a key contributor alongside Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal. His ability to space the floor and hit clutch shots helped the Heat secure their first-ever NBA title. However, his production declined in the following years, and he struggled to maintain a consistent role in the league.

Final career steps

Walker’s career ended prematurely due to financial and personal struggles. He attempted a comeback in the NBA’s D-League (now the G League) but never returned to the NBA. Despite his turbulent post-career journey, he remains a memorable figure in basketball history, particularly for his contributions to the Celtics and his championship success with the Heat.