Jayson Tatum is averaging 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists through 14 games this season.
Jayson Tatum spent nearly three months in the NBA “bubble” in 2020 and, like many, was forced to change his daily routine drastically. One habit remained in place: He read books to his son, Deuce, each night.
The Boston Celtics star had copies of all of his son’s favorite books sent to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando, where players stayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He would read them on FaceTime.
Four summers later, the two began enjoying a new book together, one that Tatum co-authored and was inspired by Deuce. It’s called “Baby-Dunks-a-Lot” and was released in early September.
Tatum spoke with NBA.com about the new book, tattoos, the joys of fatherhood and how impressed he is with another Eastern Conference opponent this season.
The following 1-on-1 conversation has been condensed and edited.
It’s early, but when you look at the landscape of the East, do you see the undefeated Cavs as Boston’s biggest threat?
I don’t want to say the biggest threat and discredit anybody else and what other teams are doing. I am extremely impressed with how they’ve been playing. They have a new coaching staff. They have Jarrett Allen back, who’s healthy now and didn’t play against us last year in the playoffs. They just seem to be playing with more confidence and more joy. They’ve been one of the exciting teams to watch these first (few weeks).
Not only did you win a championship and gold medal this summer, but you also became an author. How does it feel to have that title after the release of your children’s book?
It’s really cool. It’s something I never thought about growing up. My co-author Sam Apple and his team reached out to my team about two years ago with the idea. With the relationship I have with (my son) Deuce, I wanted to acknowledge that and create the children’s book. It was dope to be a part of the process and see it finally come to light. It was a long journey.
Jayson Tatum recently released his first children’s book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot.”
And Deuce helped pick out the illustrations, right?
Yeah, he helped. Who better to ask than a six-year-old on which illustrations pop and stand out to him?
You have a tattoo of your favorite movies. Have you thought about getting your new favorite book inked?
I’m always thinking of new ideas and things that are organic to my life and my story. All my tattoos have a special meaning to me. I got some more space on my back, so it’s possible.
One of your tattoos is from the movie “John Q” with Denzel Washington. Do you look at Denzel’s role in that movie as the type of commitment you have to have as a father? Not as theatrical, of course, but in terms of that level of passion.
Yeah, I saw the movie when I was younger before I had Deuce. I think watching it after being a father, you just see it through a different lens. Obviously, it’s a movie and dramatic and all those things, but the meaning behind being a father and the lengths you would go to protect your child, you kind of understand. I always say, ‘You never understand how much you could love somebody until you would give your life for them.’
Stephen Curry and LeBron James are pictured in your book. How were the conversations with them about it?
Honestly, I didn’t have any personal conversations. My team reached out to their team to see if they would be OK with their image and likeness being used in the book, and they were super cool with it. I’m very appreciative of that.
Speaking of LeBron, when you see pictures of Bronny as a little kid playing with his dad on the court pregame, and then them now being actual teammates, do you ever picture you and Deuce playing in the NBA together?
For one, I think that is the coolest thing ever. To just see pictures from LeBron’s first couple of years in the league and having Bronny with him all the time and on the court to now share these moments together. I think it’s a testament to their relationship, the longevity of LeBron’s career and to Bronny. There are only about 5,000 people to ever make it into the NBA and Bronny is one of them. A father and son playing in the NBA is something special that I never thought I would see. As far as me and Deuce, I don’t know. A lot of things would have to go right for that to happen. It’s too early to tell.
That picture of you holding Deuce up after the championship. Did you frame it somewhere you can see every day?
Yeah, I did. It’s at my house. It’s at my mom’s house. It’s at my grandma’s house. I would say that’s the best picture I’ve ever been a part of in my life.
Jayson Tatum and his son, Deuce, created one of the most memorable photos from the 2024 Finals.
You’ve praised your dad for helping you get to where you are, but you’ve also said it strained your relationship a bit because it was strictly about sports and you missed out on other bonding experiences. How are you approaching things differently with Deuce and being intentional outside of strictly sports with him?
Yeah, I think just being a normal dad. Being there for recitals and plays at school. I make sure that — regardless if I had a game the night before, had to travel or got in late — when it’s my days to have him, I’m getting up at 6:30 in the morning to take him to school. When we don’t have a game, I’m making sure I’m there to pick him up after school. It’s just about being present as much as I can, especially with how much we travel.
What interactions do you have with him when it comes to reading?
That’s part of our routine. When I was in the bubble, his mom and my mom made sure that they sent duplicate copies of all the books he had so I could read to him at night through FaceTime — just to keep some of our routine as normal as possible when I was away for almost three months. (It’s part) of our life, routine and what we do as father and son.
You play at home on Deuce’s birthday next month. What’s it like navigating your gameday and his birthday?
There have been times when I would be on the road and miss his birthday entirely. That’s much tougher, being away on his birthday. He’ll be at the game (this year). He loves to come to the game. Obviously, I’ll still be able to perform and do my thing, but sharing his birthday and being there for his birthday is always a priority.
What’s your favorite scene in your new book?
My favorite scene is when the baby makes all his teammates take a nap with him during the game. I thought that was pretty funny because most NBA players do take naps on game days to get their minds and bodies right for the game.
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Khari Arnold is the managing editor at NBA.com.
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