For the first time during their NBA careers, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be facing off against each other in actual game action.
And each Boston Celtics star thinks that they'll have a chance to get the better of the other in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
Tatum downplayed his excitement for playing against Brown, claiming that the two play against each other a lot in practice and he'd rather go against someone else. Nonetheless, if it happens, Tatum is ready to shut his teammate down, per the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston Twitter account.
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That's certainly a bold proclamation, considering that Brown is averaging 24.7 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting this year. But if Tatum truly can predict what Brown will do, perhaps he can limit his teammate.
However, Brown doesn't think that Tatum is giving himself a bit too much credit.
"Me and JT obviously play one-on-one. He thinks he knows my moves, but I tell him all the time I ain't gotta do too much," Brown said. "He thinks he know my moves. I'm looking forward to [playing against him]."
Will these remarks provide extra motivation to Brown? Possibly. But he's already motivated enough for this contest, especially considering that he's playing in the All-Star Game in his hometown Atlanta.
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We'll soon see how both Tatum and Brown fare during the game and the 3-point contest. Either way, they should enjoy competing against one another and representing the C's at All-Star Weekend.
And no matter what, one of them will emerge with a win in the All-Star Game.