Jayson Tatum Dismisses Lakers-Celtics Rivalry: “I Don’t See Them as a Rival”
The historic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers has defined decades of NBA basketball, but for Jayson Tatum, that rivalry doesn’t hold the same weight. The Celtics superstar recently downplayed the idea that Boston and L.A. are still fierce competitors, suggesting that the modern NBA landscape has shifted.
Tatum’s Take on the Rivalry
When asked about the long-standing feud between the two most successful franchises in NBA history, Tatum was blunt in his response.
“I don’t really see them as a rival,” Tatum said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of history there, but for me, it’s not something I think about every time we play them.”
While Celtics fans may view the Lakers as their ultimate enemy—dating back to battles between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson in the 1980s and later between Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant in the 2000s—Tatum’s perspective reflects a generational shift.
A Changing NBA Landscape
Tatum’s stance isn’t entirely surprising. The Celtics and Lakers haven’t faced each other in the NBA Finals since 2010, and their recent matchups have lacked the same high-stakes intensity of past decades. Today, rivalries are often built through playoff matchups rather than historical narratives.
For Tatum, more pressing rivalries exist with teams like the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers—Eastern Conference foes who have consistently challenged Boston in the playoffs during his career. The Lakers, meanwhile, play in the Western Conference and rarely meet the Celtics outside of their two regular-season matchups.
Respect, But Not Personal
Despite his comments, Tatum made it clear that he respects the Lakers and their legacy.
“I have a ton of respect for that organization, for LeBron, for everything they’ve accomplished,” he said. “But for me, rivalries are built on competition, and we just don’t see them enough for it to feel that way.”
His viewpoint underscores the evolution of NBA rivalries in the modern era, where matchups are defined less by history and more by present-day competition. While Celtics fans may always consider the Lakers their greatest foe, Tatum and today’s generation of players see things differently.
