The biggest reasons Jayson Tatum found another gear
Tatum has firmly put himself in a top 10 category for NBA players. He’s freshly coming off the highly anticipated national televised match up against the Nets. This was the exact game we need to answer a lot of the remaining questions about Tatum and he answered all of them. He did so by improving in some key areas that we here at SMS identified dating all the way back to the bubble. Lets dive in
Clutch
The bubble was the first time Tatum was really given the keys to the offense in late game opportunities. He lead the team in scoring, but if we are being honest he really left a lot to be desired in the clutch and late department. He was a young player trying to force his shot and ended in poor looks or bad turnovers.
Now, when we see Tatum in those situations it’s hard to tell the Celtics are actually in a clutch and late spot. Certainly on Sunday they were in need of late game execution. When you look at Tatum in that 4th quarter nothing felt forced. Nothing felt like hero ball. He knew he was cooking and knew exactly how to take what was given to him. Including a hockey assist on maybe the biggest sequence of the game ending in a dagger 3 pointer for Jaylen Brown. This is a trend we have seen since Jan 1 where the Celtics have been the best team in basketball.
Finish at the rim
I was huge on this early in Jayson’s career. He missed so many fucking layups. It was frustrating to watch, but also understandable. First, you’re a 20 year old trying to get a feel for a new physical league. Time to adjust. Second the NBA is inconsistent on those calls and up until this year it was better to draw contact first and get bucket second. With this year’s rule changes and clearly a different mentality from Tatum he has improved at the rim.
It’s not just that though. He has adjusted his approach and footwork. It’s subtle, but understanding where to start your move gets you 1/2 closer to the rim when it’s time to finish. In year’s prior you could tell the timing was just off.
Dude is a legit play maker
The dimes he’s dropped this year have been some of the best on the team. He has a natural ability to understand the flow of the game. With experience he is processing faster allowing him to anticipate not only where his teammates will be, but also how the defense will react. And just as importantly he is willing to make the pass.
Buy In
The 2020 Covid Celtics are responsible for the criticism of the early 2021 Celtics. That was a team that just quit. Yes, they had covid and injury problems, but stretches of that year were embarrassing to be a fan. They tuned the coach out, the tuned the GM out, they tuned each other out. It resulted in a new regime. One Tatum basically asked for in Ime Udoka. They say NBA basketball doesn’t start until Christmas and that’s right about when this roster decided to pull it together. The results felt like they came over night, though. The defense has been the best in the league and the offense has a functionality to it that no longer feels futile. It just feels like this is what the team is now.
Ime Udoka
Ime has been getting a lot of credit and rightfully so. Coach of the month and all. I don’t think enough people are talking about this though. It’s something Brad Stevens really struggled with. Assigning roles. There is a clear hierarchy on this team now. Marcus Smart passes up more 3’s than he shoots, Al Horford defends, Rob Williams soars to the heavens, JB gets rolling early, Tatum finishes, even Grant Williams found himself a corner office he is comfortable with. At times year we have called for a deeper rotation, but I think you can see that Ime knew he needed to get these guys chemistry and trust elevated and that only comes with time together on the court. As the number 1 rated starter 5 in the NBA you could say it worked. And it has most definitely benefited Tatum and his rise to full blown super star status.
The last test for these guys will be the playoffs. Let’s face it for all the green teamers out there this is still Boston. The best team since January is cute, but if you flame out again Chicago in the 2nd round you’re back to underachieving wanna be’s. Personally, I think they have passed that or at least Tatum has and the Celtics will only go as far as he can take them.
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