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After going viral for cringe-worthily trying to recreate his own version of Kevin Garnett’s iconic celebration after the 2008 NBA Finals, Jayson Tatum again used a preconceived punchline at the postgame celebrations.
While celebrating at an event held after Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals — which saw Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the Boston Celtics to their NBA-leading 18th NBA title — the 26-year-old Celtics forward quoted Kanye West’s speech at the 2005 Grammy Awards.
Tatum also caught some slack on social media for his apparently prepackaged “WE DID IT!” roar.
“Everybody was wondering what would happen if we didn’t win. I guess we’ll never know,” Tatum said while holding the iconic Larry O’Brien trophy.
Jayson Tatum dropping a Kayne quote😂
"Everybody was wondering what would happen if we didn't win. I guess we'll never know." pic.twitter.com/buL1pTVRMt
— CelticsMuse (@CelticsMuse) June 18, 2024
West gave the speech in February 2005 after winning Best Rap Album for his debut record The College Dropout. beating out the Beastie Boys’ To the 5 Boroughs, Jay-Z’s The Black Album, LL Cool J’s The Definition, and Nelly’s Suit.
“Y’all might as well get the music ready, cause this finna take awhile. When I had my accident, I found out at that moment nothing in life is promised except death,” West began.
“If you have the opportunity to play this game of life, you need to appreciate every moment. A lot of people don’t appreciate their moment until it’s passed. And then you gotta tell those Al Bundy stories, ‘You remember when I ….’ But right now is my time and my moment thanks to the fans, thanks to the accident, thanks to God, thanks to Roc-A-Fella — Jay Z, Dame Dash, Gee — my mother, Rhymefest, everyone that’s helped me,” he continued.
“And I plan — I plan to celebrate. I plan to celebrate and scream and pop champagne every chance I get because I’m at the Grammys, baby. I know every — I know everybody asked me the question. They wanted to know, ‘What Kanye? I know he’s gon’ wild out and he’s gon’ do something crazy.’ Everybody want to know what I’d do if I didn’t win. I guess we’ll never know.”
In the Celtics 106-88 Game 5 win against the Dallas Mavericks, Tatum had his best performance in the five-game series as he posted 31 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds. Brown, who was named NBA Finals MVP, added 21 points, 6 assists and 8 rebounds. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White also chipped in with double-digit point totals.