Duke basketball: Blue Devil posterizes Blue Devil in preseason action

A Duke basketball star put another former Blue Devil on a poster in the preseason opener. 

NBA preseason games do not matter to most people in the world, but one former Duke basketball player got his season off to a great start.

Jayson Tatum had himself a busy summer, entering the NBA Playoffs with the Boston Celtics before beginning the preparations to win a gold medal with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

However, the former Blue Devil is now ready for his fifth season with the Celtics, and he got his preseason off to a great start by putting former Blue Devil Wendell Carter Jr. on a poster in the third quarter of Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic.

https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1445202385526145033?s=20

Tatum, who has shown his willingness to go to the rim since dunking on LeBron James in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals as a rookie, is ready to take the next step in his already decorated NBA career.

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Jayson Tatum averaged a career-high 26.4 points per game last season as well as a career-best 7.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per contest.

Tatum scored 18 points in 25 minutes as Boston defeated Orlando, 98-97.

Carter Jr., preparing for his first full season with the Magic, scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Duke basketball star hoping for revitalized season with Celtics

The last three seasons for Jayson Tatum in Boston have been chaotic to say the least, none of which was caused by the former Blue Devil.

Three years ago, Boston was in the midst of the Kyrie Irving saga. Then two years ago, the team saw the season cut short due to COVID-19, although the Celtics were able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals inside the NBA’s bubble.

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Last season, the Celtics were hampered by the quick turnaround to begin the season as well as a lingering injury to Kemba Walker while head coach Brad Stevens stepped down from his position and joined the front office.

Tatum and the Celtics will look to topple the powerful Brooklyn Nets and dethrone the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Milwaukee Bucks this season, and it all begins on Wednesday, October 20 in Manhattan against the New York Knicks.