The Mavericks’ rookie sensation, Dereck Lively II, is the latest name in the long line of Duke graduates in the NBA. Over the years, the NBA has witnessed multiple players coming from Duke and flourishing in the league. The 20-year-old was asked to mention the elite ones in his recent interview, and he shockingly neglected the name of the Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
While mentioning his Mount Rushmore of Duke players, Lively took his teammate Kyrie Irving’s name first. Followed by former NBA great Grant Hill, Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, and Magic’s forward Paolo Banchero.
While speaking highly of the above-mentioned players, Lively didn’t take the new NBA champion Tatum’s name. This disappointed the social media fans who lashed out at the Mavs center in the comments of an X (FKA Twitter) post.
“No Tatum?”, asked an astonished fan.
Dereck Lively II on his Mount Rushmore of Duke NBA players 👀
🌟 Kyrie Irving
🌟 Grant Hill
🌟 Zion Williamson
🌟 Paolo BancheroThoughts? 🤔
(via @BleacherReport / TT)pic.twitter.com/vcgyH1hO9I
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 15, 2024
“He salty Tatum clamped him in the finals”, wrote a fan, reminding the Mavericks’ NBA Finals loss to the Celtics.
He salty Tatum clamped him in the finals
— Joseph (@ILuvSprts49) July 15, 2024
“Wonder why he left off Tatum? A little bu**hurt maybe?” questioned a third one.