NBA players react to Kevin Durant injury

In a wide-ranging interview with The Messenger, Jayson Tatum said he now feels a connection to the city of Boston. That’s part of how Tatum sees that he’s grown up since arriving in Boston as a 19-year-old.

“Just recently I started to feel the connection with Boston,” Tatum says. “I have spent my adult life here, my son has grown up here, I’ve grown up here. I’ve accomplished so many things. It’s happened so fast, and Boston has played such an intricate part of my life.

“I just feel like I relate more, a lot more in these last two years. At first it was like I live here, but I’m from St. Louis. I’m a St. Louis kid. Now I’m a part of Boston. I really feel a connection with the city and the people of Boston.”

When asked if he hopes to spend his entire career with the Celtics, Tatum was cautious about promising anything. But he reiterated his love for Boston and the Celtics.

“You never know what can happen, but I love playing for the Celtics,” he says. “I figured out my space in the city and have grown to really enjoy it. I love the fans. It would be really hard to leave this place.”