After teasing Andre Iguodala about the NBA’s best player, Jayson Tatum clarifies his remarks.

Former NBA players Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner recently travelled to Boston for their “Point Forward” podcast, where they had a sit-down conversation with Jayson Tatum, a star player for the Boston Celtics. Tatum, who is in his seventh NBA season, just finished his fourth consecutive All-Star campaign and has received three All-NBA honours. He is regarded by some as one of the NBA’s top five players and is a rising star in the league.

Iguodala discussed in the interview a 2021 conversation he had with Tatum, which didn’t go over well with the former player for the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors. The topic of conversation was who the best player in the league is, and Iguodala claimed that Tatum’s remark broke his heart.

In 2021, Jayson Tatum failed Andre Iguodala’s test.

Iguodala thought back to a time in 2021 when he tested Tatum before the main portion of the interview began. To gauge the star player for the Celtics’ thoughts, he posed a straightforward question to him.

With Tatum seated in the room, he said to his co-host Turner, “I check folks’ temperature by asking one question, It just gives me a feel for who they are.”

“So I asked him who was the best player in the league. The answer he gave me, my heart dropped.”

Tatum remarked, “I said Giannis (Antetokounmpo) at the time.” “Context is important. This was right after they won the championship. I got a lot of respect for guys that get to the top of the mountain and then get over the mountain. At the time, they had just won the Finals. He had a hell of a run. So when he asked me, I was like, Giannis.”

Iguodala says he appreciates how players like Tatum respond to his questions and that it’s much easier for him to conduct interviews and host podcasts. But he did say that wasn’t the response he was hoping for.

“It irks me,” Iguodala said. “Sometimes, I just want you to go crazy on ’em and just let ’em know.”

Tatum Has No Problems With Self-Belief

Tatum gave a valid response. Previous to taking home the title in 2021, Antetokounmpo won consecutive MVP awards in 2019 and 2020. He helped the Milwaukee Bucks become a title contender and was the talk of the NBA.

He clarified that his response at the time didn’t imply he didn’t think he was the best player available when he suit up.
“I mean, when I step on the court, I don’t step on the court and be like, ‘I’m the second-best player,’” Tatum said. “That never crosses my mind. Everytime I step on the court, I know and feel like I’m the best player on the court.”

"I'm … humbly, one of the best basketball players in the world."

Jayson Tatum after Game 6 win vs. Sixers pic.twitter.com/ANd13uB0MD

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 12, 2023

Tatum has undoubtedly advanced since joining the league as a rookie. He has established himself as one of the greatest with three seasons on the All-NBA team. He averaged a career-high 30.1 points in the previous season. In addition, he recorded career highs in assists (4.6) and rebounds (8.8).

Tatum needs to lead the Celtics to a championship in order to be genuinely regarded as the best player in the game. Unlike Antetokounmpo, he hasn’t been able to lead his team over that mountain, but he has been close.

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