Quotes from Jayson Tatum

If somebody was to ask me who is the best rookie, I would tell them I was.

I didn't expect this - to be 19, be a rookie, playing this much and having a kid. It's a lot, but, I mean, I'm enjoying it.

I don't really want to get too heavy, you know. I still want to be able to move in the paint.

There's no better way to start your career than by playing probably the best guy in the league.

I used to hate Boston.

The Celtics were always going to pick me No. 1, but Philly didn't know that.

I want to be the next Paul Pierce.

When I was, like, 4 or 5, I'd just always tell - my mom would ask me what I wanted to be when I got older. And I would just be like, 'I wanna be Kobe.' She'd be like, 'You wanna be in the NBA?' 'No, like, I wanna be Kobe.'

I'm a big candle guy.

I don't have anything to eat in my house but chips and Gatorade.

I just try to stay in my little circle. And I don't try to do too much. And when my opportunity comes, I just try to make the most of it.

My parents are supportive of me, whatever school I go to.

The playoffs bring the best out of people.

Most guys in my position don't get drafted to such a high-caliber team like the Celtics, so it makes me work harder because I have to compete and earn everything.

I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to compete against a player like him and be a few shots away from beating him and his team to go to a championship is something I will always remember.

One day I'd have 20 points, the next day two points. I was dribbling the ball off my leg. I couldn't understand why. The media started asking me, 'Is this because you are a new dad?' I didn't want to blame my son. There are plenty of people in much worse situations, and they make it work. I have to do that, too.

Kobe Bryant was the reason I started playing basketball - always was and will be my favorite player of all time. I love the way he could get his shot off, his footwork down in the post, just his determination to be the best player.

I gained, like, 20 pounds in, like, two and a half, three weeks. So I just got too big too fast, and my body wasn't adjusted to that.

I'm looking to try to do more out there and just taking advantage of the opportunities that I've been given.

I don't know how to handle all the trade talks.

I'm a pretty good free-throw shooter, so getting fouled is a good thing.

You work all season to earn the trust of your teammates and the coaching staff.

Man, I'm always going to back up my teammates.

My relationships with the Duke coaches were the best, and they made me a priority.