NBA Fans React To Jayson Tatum Texting Kobe Bryant Before Game 7 & Sharing Screenshot (PIC + TWEETS)

May 30, 2022, 2:22pm EST (Updated: November 10, 2022, 7:53pm)By Darrelle Lincoln

It feels fitting that the first Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy went to a member of the Boston Celtics.

After the Celtics held on to defeat the Miami Heat in Game 7, Jayson Tatum took home the award Sunday after helping lead his team to a 100-96 victory. Tatum finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal while hitting 4-of-7 from three-point range.

The three-time All-Star paid tribute to Kobe with a purple and gold 24 armband and also said he watched Kobe film prior to tip.

After the win, Tatum shared several photos on Instagram. The last of which was a screenshot of a message he sent to his mentor, Bryant: “I got you today.”

"? ??? ??? ?????."

Jayson Tatum texted Kobe Bryant before Game 7 ? @jaytatum0 pic.twitter.com/Undug3WsB9
— ESPN (@espn) May 30, 2022

NBA fans had various thoughts about this:

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If Kobe was alive he’d say “Job isn’t finished, why you celebrating?”
— ??‍♂️ (@OG_Ruben3) May 30, 2022

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Tatum embraced the challenges Kobe paved the way for the young guys with the mamba mentality. D Book ran from it https://t.co/DkDeOUFq5o
— Colson HighRoller (@ColsonRomo14) May 30, 2022

I’m sorry but this is getting to Ja Morant levels of corniness https://t.co/ujg0Ti3MiS
— Jingles?? (@JingIesss) May 30, 2022

Dawg let the guy rest https://t.co/0BRxhE1b7N
— MiamiClutchPE (@MiamiClutchPE) May 30, 2022

This shit is really so corny https://t.co/kXScemwgW5
— courts (@patmccourt2) May 30, 2022

This is so unbelievably weird https://t.co/Fpq6HC2qdK
— g (@gracephully) May 30, 2022

I like Tatum but this is so corny https://t.co/GZ4SNKaOVu
— Bones (@Boness305) May 30, 2022

Kobe died like two years ago he’s not gonna see this my guy https://t.co/VsGrrtk33t
— Sam Rice (@MrDrProfSamuel) May 30, 2022

Am I the only one that thinks this is cring? Keep this to yourself don’t post for attention. Still hope y’all win it all though. I just personally didn’t like it https://t.co/0An51pTCDh
— NCNATIVE (@NCNATIVE94) May 30, 2022

Legendary stuff ‼️#LongLiveTheBlackMamba https://t.co/ewGEI9moYj
— Dee Cee ♌️? (@_callmedeejay_) May 30, 2022

Bro…this is weird as hell.

You text a dead man’s phone, screenshot it & then post it for attention. Please GSW end this series quickly. https://t.co/K2CV7g5WGD
— Kirk (@im_KirkB) May 30, 2022

I may have shed a couple tears seeing this https://t.co/d3dsdkWVW8
— Eric Urbanowicz (@EricProduce) May 30, 2022

The Celtics star scored 26 or more points in five of the seven games and averaged 25.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 steals a night throughout the series.

Tatum will have an opportunity to play in the NBA Finals for the first time in his career as the Celtics get set to face off against the Warriors.

The 24-year-old’s resume now includes an Eastern Conference Finals MVP, three All-Star selections and two All-NBA nods.