Tatum Makes Confident NBA Finals, MVP Predictions on ‘The Tonight Show’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It was a golden summer for Jayson Tatum.
THE Boston Celtics The superstar won his first NBA championship And second Olympic gold medal, signed the biggest contract in NBA historywas named the cover athlete for “NBA 2K25” And unveiled the third edition of its signature shoe line.
Today, the 26-year-old can add another title to his resume: children’s author.
Tatum released a new picture book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot,” on Tuesday with co-author Sam Apple and illustrator Parker-Nia Gordon. The book, which tells the story of an incredible baby who dunks and becomes a NBA playeris inspired by Tatum’s life as an NBA star and father.
The five-time NBA All-Star dedicated the children’s book to his son Deuce and his mother Brandy. He thanked his mother for helping him pursue his dreams and make them come true.
“My mom is my best friend and she’s always encouraged me to make things happen, to believe in myself,” Tatum said during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” Wednesday. “I’ve always had a goal. We always had a plan of what I was trying to accomplish and I think it’s really important to have that support system, to have someone who believes in you like she did because I wouldn’t be here without her.”
Fallon even provided some evidence. The host presented an essay in which 9-year-old Tatum correctly predicted that he would not only make the NBA, but also play in the Olympic GamesHe was even exactly right about how old he would be when he started his NBA career, as he was 19 when the Celtics selected him third overall in the 2017 NBA draft.
There were some errors in Tatum’s predictions, however. The 9-year-old Tatum said he would be selected by the Phoenix Suns and then traded to the The Los Angeles Lakers.
Fallon decided to put Tatum’s foresight to the test with a series of predictions for the upcoming NBA season.
First, Fallon asked if the The New York Knicks – the host’s favorite team and rival of the Celtics – would win more or fewer games than last season.
“They’ll win a few more,” Tatum told a delighted Fallon.
Fallon then asked who would be named NBA MVP next year, to which Tatum replied, “Can I nominate myself?” He also said Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green is the NBA player who would make the best WWE wrestler and this Jimmy Kimmel would win a head-to-head basketball tournament between each late-night host.
Tatum’s biggest prediction came after Fallon asked which two teams would be in the 2025 NBA Finals. Tatum said he predicted a rematch of the 2024 championship series in which the Celtics beat the The Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s going to be a rematch. We’re going to play Dallas again,” Tatum said.
