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Four highlights from Jayson Tatum’s appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’
Tatum took on Jimmy Fallon in a rap battle and gave his MVP prediction for the 2024-25 season.
With an eventful summer now in the rearview, Celtics star Jayson Tatum made an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday night.
Tatum has added to his already extensive resume in the span of a few months, winning his first NBA title with the Celtics in June, landing on the cover of NBA2k25 in July, taking home his second Olympic gold medal with Team USA weeks later, and releasing a children’s picture book in September.
Tatum’s book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot,” was released earlier this week. The reigning NBA champion made a stop on the late-night circuit to promote his new product.
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Along with speaking about his inspiration for the new book, Tatum gave his predictions for the upcoming season, while also taking part in the usual sketches on Fallon’s show.
Here are four highlights from Tatum’s “Tonight Show” appearance:
A book rap battle?
“Baby Dunks-a-Lot,” which was co-written by author Sam Apple and illustrated by Parker-Nia Gordon, tells the story of a baby who learns that he can dunk, which quick propels him to a star NBA career playing against the likes of LeBron James, Steph Curry, and even a Grant Williams look-alike.
While Tatum spent some of his interview with Fallon discussing the inspiration behind the book, he also gave “Baby Dunks-a-Lot” a unique publicity push by sparring with the host in a rap battle.
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As Tatum talked up his own book, Fallon tried to counter by repping his own children’s book, “5 More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween.”
“Hey there, Jimmy. I got a book, too.
No. 1 seller, hate to break it to you.
And yeah, it’s called ‘Baby-Dunks-a-Lot.’
Think yours is better? Psh. Probably not,” Tatum rapped.
As both Tatum and Fallon traded verses over who wrote the best book, Fallon finally admitted it was a draw.
“Yeah, I think our beef is settled,
Got my first ring, and another gold medal,” Tatum responded.
Tatum is many things: An NBA champion, five-time All-Star, recipient of the richest contract in NBA history, 2K cover athlete, author and two-time Olympic. But an MC? Maybe not.
Shoutout to mom
Tatum shared on CBS Tuesday that his new book was inspired by his relationship with his six-year-old son, Jayson “Deuce” Tatum Jr. But in his interview with Fallon, Tatum also gave a shout out to his mother, Brandy Cole.
“My mom is my best friend and she always encouraged me to speak things into existence, believe in yourself. I always had a goal,” Tatum said. “We always had a plan of what I was trying to accomplish and I think it’s so important to have that support system, have somebody that believes in you like she did because I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Prediction time
At one point in the interview, Fallon brought out an essay penned by a nine-year-old Tatum — who predicted he would be a star in the NBA and play in the Olympics. While both predictions were true, he also said that he was going to be drafted by the Phoenix Suns and later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.
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After looking in the past, Fallon asked Tatum for his predictions about the upcoming 2024-25 season.
After predicting that Fallon’s favorite team — the Knicks — would “win a few more games” this year, Fallon asked the Celtics star who would winNBA MVP.
“Can I say myself?,” Tatum asked.
As for which two teams will meet in the 2025 NBA Finals?
“It’s gonna be a rematch. We’re gonna play Dallas again,” Tatum said.
A ring for Deuce?
Deuce Tatum has been a fixture at Celtics games for years now, be it watching games from courtside seats, helping his father during warmups or hanging out in the locker room after victories.
And it looks like he’ll be able show off some jewelry alongside his father on Oct. 22 for the Celtics’ home opener.
As Fallon joked about how Deuce “might as well be on the Celtics,” Tatum acknowledged: “He’s getting a championship ring.”
While looking over the photo of Tatum lifting Deuce into the air after Boston won its 18th title, Fallon said he was worried that Deuce was hanging from the Garden rafters after Tatum’s throw.
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“I promise I caught him,” Tatum said, adding: “It was a special moment. He was born my first year [with the Celtics], I was 19. So we kind of grew up together. He’s been with me every step of the way.”
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