In a recent chat with the media, Celtics star Jayson Tatum opened up on various topics relating to his life, his NBA career, and his Boston Celtics teammates. Speaking specifically on Celtics newcomer Kristaps Porzingis, Tatum compared their partnership to that of the legendary Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol duo from back in the day.

“Kobe really needed Pau for those last two championships that they won together,” said Tatum to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “Whatever path that I’m on and we’re on, KP really feels like the missing piece.”

Porzingis has been excellent this season with averages of 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game as the third option for the Celtics. He’s been exactly what his team needed him to be this campaign, and the results have been positive so far with a record of 37-11 (the best in the NBA). Jayson is feeling pretty good about his newest frontcourt partner, but to compare their dynamic to that of Kobe and Pau’s is still a major stretch considering their lack of playoff success together.

After parting ways with Shaquille O’Neal in the mid-2000s, Kobe Bryant spent years on a Lakers team that was nothing more than mediocre in the Western Conference. At one point, he even requested a trade with the belief that the Lakers could no longer compete for a title. But when the franchise traded for Pau Gasol in 2008, it changed everything for Kobe and his team. With the sidekick he had been seeking for years, Kobe was able to take the Lakers to new heights in the West and it marked a period of great abundance for the iconic franchise.

In 2008, Kobe and Pau made their first Finals appearance, losing to the Celtics in a bitter 7-game series. The Lakers would then go on to make the next two NBA Finals, winning back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010.  Together, Kobe and Pau created the perfect balance and they found harmony working off each other’s strengths. While Tatum and Porizngis have looked great together so far, we need to see how they hold up under pressure before anyone can put them on the same tier as Bryant and Gasol.

Is This Boston’s Year?

The Celtics have been on the verge of title contention for years and they’ve already been to the Finals once with this regime under Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and head coach Ime Udoka. Last season, they got to within a single win of the NBA Finals before losing Game 7 to the Miami Heat. In response, Celtics GM Brad Stevens doubled down on their game plan by adding proven veteran role-players like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to the rotation.

Together, Tatum and Kristaps have been touching the league, combining to average 36.6 points per game this season. The Celtics, who are 37-11 have never looked better as a team and could prove Tatum’s comparison true by becoming the NBA’s next championship dynasty. For now, though, the Cs still have a lot to prove and Tatum still needs to deliver a dominant postseason run. This year will be the ultimate test for him and the Celtics if they can close the deal when the pressure is highest.