Jayson Tatum is making the rounds as he promotes his new book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot.”
His latest stop was The Tonight Show, where he bantered with host Jimmy Fallon and showcased his personality.
Tatum even got into a rap battle with Fallon, advocating for his book over Fallon’s, “5 More Sleeps ‘Til Halloween.”
Here are five highlights:
The rap battle
Yes, it’s true. Jaylen Brown isn’t the only Celtic who’s dabbled as a rapper this offseason.
The clip begins with Fallon rapping that his book is the best book out in stores right now. Tatum enters, dressed in all green, and asks for a microphone.
“Hey there, Jimmy. I got a book, too.
No. 1 seller, hate to break it to you.
And yeah, it’s called ‘Baby-Dunks-a-Lot.’
Think yours is better? Psh. Probably not,” Tatum raps.
Fallon acknowledges that Tatum’s book “seems kind of fun,” but insists he wins because his has more pages and he’s written more books than Tatum.
“You might have written more novels than me,
But last year, I hit over 200 3’s.
My book’s about a baby, yeah, that’s true,
But that don’t mean I won’t dunk on you,” Tatum claps back.
Fallon admits they both wrote great books and there’s no need for the rap battle.
“Yeah, I think our beef is settled,
Got my first ring, and another gold medal,” Tatum responds.
He likes his odds to win MVP, and he predicts an NBA Finals rematch
When Fallon asks Tatum who will win MVP next year, Tatum checks to see if he can choose himself. Fallon stands up in excitement and allows it.
Fallon then inquires who he thinks will make the NBA Finals next year. Tatum picks the Celtics (shocker), then he hesitates before choosing the Mavericks to reach the stage once again.
Tatum shows off his sense of humor when Fallon asks who would win a 1-on-1 battle featuring all the late-night talk show hosts.
“Jimmy,” Tatum says. “Jimmy Kimmel.”
He’s honored to be on the cover of NBA 2K25
Fallon lists off Tatum’s accomplishments in the past few months, mentioning his NBA championship, gold medal and record-setting contract.
When he brings up the NBA 2K25 cover, Tatum beams with pride.
“That might be the coolest thing,” Tatum says. “Just as a kid, every kid grew up playing NBA 2K. First you want to dream about being in the game. That happens your rookie year. Then, the top of the mountain is wanting to be on the cover.”
Tatum adds that even seeing it now is still a “surreal feeling.”
Deuce is getting a ring
Fallon shows a picture of Tatum and his son, Deuce, noting that Deuce might as well be on the team based on how much love there is between him and the Celtics.
Tatum, unprompted, announces that Deuce is getting a championship ring.
He recalls throwing Deuce in the air (and catching him) when the Celtics clinched the championship. Fallon jokes that Deuce was hanging onto the rafters, ready to come down.
“We grew up together,” Tatum says. “He’s been with me every step of the way.”
He shouts out his mom once again
Fallon brings up an essay of Tatum’s as a kid, in which he predicted he would make the NBA at age 19 and play in the Olympics.
Tatum gives credit to his mother, Brandy Cole, for helping him believe his dreams were possible.
“She always encouraged me to speak things into existence,” Tatum says.
