NBA Starting 5, Oct. 17: Tatum Gets Us Emotional – NBA.com

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Quote Of The Day: Jayson Tatum
“There are days when I am waking up at 6:30 am to get up and get him dressed and ready for school, regardless of my responsibilities for the day, because I know how important it is to him for me to take him to school.”


Editor’s Note: Throughout the 2023-24 season, special guest contributors will pop in to give you takes on the game that only they can give.
And with a new season on the way, who better to join than 4-time All-Star Jayson Tatum – one of the NBA’s most famous dads – agreed to talk with us about how life with Deuce changes when the offseason ends.
Just a warning. Prepare to have your heart warmed.
What are the most dramatic ways your life changes when you go from off-season to in-season?
Honestly, in a way, it’s less traveling and more structured. Summertime is often more hectic than the season because at least in season there is a schedule, whether it’s chaotic or not you know when trips are coming. Summertime I have camps, brand & charity events. I want to go back to St. Louis to see family and take some vacation.  Between business and pleasure, last-minute things just seem to come up.
What are some of the ways being a dad changes when the season picks up?
Well, now Deuce is in school, so there are days when I am waking up at 6:30 am to get up and get him dressed and ready for school, regardless of my responsibilities for the day because I know how important it is to him for me to take him to school. Being a dad is the most important thing to me, so no matter what my schedule is, I will always find time to spend with him and some of my favorite memories come from our car rides. 

As a dad, what are the things you appreciate most about more time with Deuce in the offseason?
Off-season is best for vacations and going back home to St. Louis with Deuce. The offseason is a time when we get to go out the country, go to the beach and swim all day as he loves to do. It’s a great feeling as a parent knowing that I can help provide the things for my son and show him the world in a way that I didn’t get to as a child. Also taking him back home and having him around my basketball camps as well as the back to school giveaways and golf event for my foundation. It is important to me that he is a part of giving back to the community even at a young age. 
What do you find that you miss the most with Deuce when the season gets going?
Tough thing, depending on our schedule, is missing his birthday.  There have been a few years when I wasn’t with him for his birthday.  Also, not being able to go to every school event and or basketball practice because we are on the road. Even though this is my 7th season, it’s still something that’s not easy to deal with because you never want to miss those things. They grow up so fast. 

What are the best parts of being Deuce’s dad in season?
The best part about being his dad in season is the games. That’s something we have really bonded over.  He loves watching me play, coming to the game and being in the Garden, running around in the back and playing in the locker room.  Just seeing him develop over the years, his personality grows, especially in the Garden, has been amazing to see because we have grown up there together. 
What are the ways where you change from offseason to in season?  How do you keep focus?
The way I change is that I just become more routine based.  During the 9 months that I am in season, I have a set day to day routine that I establish and get into, whereas in summertime things are more flexible and not as scheduled.  We can relax and not have to worry so much about time.  Even though I love my time with Deuce around basketball, I also really enjoy watching him be a kid and spending time in my mom’s back yard doing things with him that aren’t about basketball.
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Last season, a record 6 players averaged over 30 points per game. 3 of them will share the court on Tuesday when the Thunder host the Bucks (8 pm ET, League Pass).
Keep an eye on the guard matchup between Lillard (entering his 12th NBA season, 1st with Milwaukee) and Gilgeous-Alexander (6th NBA season, 5th in OKC) – to see 2 of the best scorers in the game with 2 very different styles.
2 more key matchups on Tuesday night:
Knicks at Celtics (7:30 pm ET, NBA TV): 
Nuggets at Clippers (10:30 pm ET, ESPN2)
Reminder: Lineups change quickly in the preseason. Stay up to date at the NBA App.

The Suns trio of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant made its home debut on Monday against Portland, giving the fans just a taste of what’s to come this season.
With the 117-106 win over Portland, Phoenix improved to 3-1 on the preseason, including a 2-0 mark when Beal, Book and KD share the court.
Here’s a quick look at the other 5 games from Monday night:
 

What has stood out most from the first 12 days of preseason hoops? Here are some of the best moments:
Welcome to the Wemby Show: No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama didn’t live up to the hype surrounding his preseason debut, he exceeded it in spectacular fashion. He didn’t just go deep into his bag in 2 preseason games — he broke out a full set of luggage.

In case you missed anything, here is every single play from his first 2 games:
Familiar Faces in New Places: 2 major deals just before training camp finished the offseason with a bang, landing 2 star point guards with 2 of the top teams in the East.
Rookie Class Showing Out: Wembanyama wasn’t the only rookie to show out, with indications that will not be a 1-man race toward Kia Rookie of the Year
Homecoming Games: In addition to growing the game globally, international preseason games provided a homecoming for Luka Doncic and Lu Dort.
Players Making Returns: A number of marquee players took the court for the first time after extended absences last season

Every championship team has its own story. 
Right now, 1 team out there is starting to write the 1st chapter in its championship story – even if they don’t know it yet.
Or, based on this new footage of Michael Malone, maybe they do.
The first 2 episodes of Bring It Home – a 9-part series on the 2022-23 NBA champion Denver Nuggets – drop on the NBA App today, going all-access for the Nuggets’ journey to their first NBA title in franchise history.
New episodes will drop daily between now and Opening Night on Oct. 24, when the Nuggets get their rings before facing the Lakers (7:30 pm, TNT).
 
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Jimmy Butler enters another season without a dominant co-star after Miami failed to acquire Damian Lillard this offseason.
These players could be on the cusp of their initial All-Star berth if they can avoid some key roadblocks.
NBA CrunchTime, "Pass the Rock" return for the new season, along with new series "Race for the NBA Cup" and "Bring It Home"
Get ready for the new season with an A-to-Z look at all the things to watch for in 2023-24.
Jimmy Butler enters another season without a dominant co-star after Miami failed to acquire Damian Lillard this offseason.
These players could be on the cusp of their initial All-Star berth if they can avoid some key roadblocks.
NBA CrunchTime, "Pass the Rock" return for the new season, along with new series "Race for the NBA Cup" and "Bring It Home"
Get ready for the new season with an A-to-Z look at all the things to watch for in 2023-24.
Darryl Dawkins' powerful dunk shatters a backboard in 1979; Kevin Love posts the NBA's first 30-30 game in 28 years in 2010.
Kelly Oubre Jr. was released from the hospital Saturday night and the Sixers expect him to miss significant playing time.
The team says Wright's injury will be treated conservatively and the 9-year NBA veteran will be re-evaluated in 3 weeks.
An MRI on the rookie's right ankle revealed bone bruising in addition to the sprain.
Lakers rally late. Doncic joins MJ & LeBron. Sixers, Rockets, Wolves extend streaks. Cavs & Dubs highlight Saturday.
LeBron James makes his In-Season Tournament debut as the Lakers face Kevin Durant and the Suns in West Group C.
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