Jayson Tatum Thread – (All-NBA Team, 2024)

[ConstableGeneva]

There are currently 23 20-point scorers who have 25%+ usage rate and take at least 1/3 of their shots from 3. Tatum and Brown are 20th and 22nd in 3-pt percentage. Only five in that list are forwards (JB, JT, PG, Grant, Mikal).

On the Celtics, our 3 top three-point shot takers (in terms of attempts) are our worst three-point makers (3FG%) -- JT, JB, KP. (That was also the case last season except with Smart instead of KP). I think that affects the team's overall efficiency. So either you can promise me they're gonna make more of these threes in the postseason or we start building habits now of re-allocating where their shots are coming from. I don't wanna hear the phrase shot variance again in the playoffs when there's things that this team can control.

Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with the amount of threes we're taking as long as they're going in lol.

[KillahGhostface]

Obviously, I understand that Tatum isn't like actual bad shooters we've seen. He can shoot. But he's a basically volume three point shooter on below average percentages. He needs to shoot a higher percentage and he and this team have more than enough weapons for him to do that. And the more he (and Jaylen) does that, the less we're at the risk of shooting variance costing us a playoff series.

This I can agree with.

Tatum managed a 59% TS in last years playoffs while shooting 32% from three. I think he can do better than that in these playoffs, because he will get better looks. But I trust that he can create offense against any set, even if his three ball isn’t falling. I think the rest of the team has enough versatility now, as well.

[BK_2020]

32% from treball is odee shooting hangpulls.

[fallguy]

There are currently 23 20-point scorers who have 25%+ usage rate and take at least 1/3 of their shots from 3. Tatum and Brown are 20th and 22nd in 3-pt percentage. Only five in that list are forwards (JB, JT, PG, Grant, Mikal).

On the Celtics, our 3 top three-point shot takers (in terms of attempts) are our worst three-point makers (3FG%) -- JT, JB, KP. (That was also the case last season except with Smart instead of KP). I think that affects the team's overall efficiency. So either you can promise me they're gonna make more of these threes in the postseason or we start building habits now of re-allocating where their shots are coming from. I don't wanna hear the phrase shot variance again in the playoffs when there's things that this team can control.

Just to be clear, I don't have a problem with the amount of threes we're taking as long as they're going in lol.

We are of one mind on this.

[ConstableGeneva]

Among 55 players who attempt at least 2 pullup threes this season, Tatum is 53rd in 3FG%. And he's taking 5.5 per game. Our last possession in regulation vs. the Warriors was a pullup contested three when we had time on our side and a timeout to burn.

[ConstableGeneva]

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Is this bad?

[Fierce1]

That can still be good if the 2 for his last 11 will result in a game winning shot to win the finals.

[GrandTheftRondo]

I don’t care that it’s December, I want to see this guy start being a killer every night on the court.

Far too passive still and goes into his shell.

Championship habits start when the season starts.

Tatum should be hitting the prime of his career and watching him this season he does not look any better than he was two seasons ago.

When I watch him I still see the same predictable pull up three and straight line drives into traffic and a turnover.

He should not be coasting or going through the motions like 38 year old LeBron.

With the added pieces this season I was expecting most efficient season yet and a further increase in assist numbers.

I’d say he’s been disappointing so far this season.

[Fierce1]

If JT continues to keep going into his shell then it makes me wonder if he's a turtle or a snail.

[GoCeltics123]

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Come on bro

[BK_2020]

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Come on bro

These numbers are completely useless without a reference.

[GoGreen]

I don’t care that it’s December, I want to see this guy start being a killer every night on the court.

Far too passive still and goes into his shell.

Championship habits start when the season starts.

Tatum should be hitting the prime of his career and watching him this season he does not look any better than he was two seasons ago.

When I watch him I still see the same predictable pull up three and straight line drives into traffic and a turnover.

He should not be coasting or going through the motions like 38 year old LeBron.

With the added pieces this season I was expecting most efficient season yet and a further increase in assist numbers.

I’d say he’s been disappointing so far this season.

Yea, I agree with a lot of this.

I'm tired of the hyper-positive takes people use to defend Tatum. It's "only" December, its "only" one loss, its "only" s regular season game, its a back to back, he was injured, he's only yadda yadda age, blaming Joe. Anything other than the reality that imo the guy doesn't have a championship mindset. Jaylen is similar, though maybe has a bit more dog in him but not by much.

I compare him to an old lebron too. Slowly plodding up the court, taking his time and whining when he doesn't get his way, but obviously bron is bron.

I've seen last night happen repeatedly over the years, and I've seen the Jays subsequently excuse those losses. These dudes, especially Tatum, are complacent as hell.

I always go back to this: Tatum literally took wedding pictures with the same dudes that embarrassed him in the finals that summer. He posted workout videos with KD during the KD/JB trade rumors. I think he's more about the lifestyle than he is about winning.

[Jaqua92]

I don't know if I question Tatum's commitment to winning. But I do question his discipline, and commitment to discipline, as well as his shot selection at this point in his career. However, as a fan, I can live with it UNTIL it's still an issue at age 28.

But for now? The answer and problem is super straight forward.

Tatum takes around 5.6 pull up 3s per game. He hits at a 28% clip. Of all the players who take at least 5 pull up 3's per game, his make percentage is by FAR the worst. The second worst? 34%. Everyone else is over 36%.

Catch and shoot 3's? 45%.

Tatum is, objectively, the least effecient volume pull up 3pt shooter in the NBA, and it isn't close.

Considering his finishing at the rim percentages, and him being the 2nd or 3rd most effecient 'points per post up' player in the NBA, despite a messily 2.29 post ups per game (this number may be a few weeks old), it's pretty clear he needs to be taking less pull up 3s, and more drives or post ups.

I'd love it if Tatum took 3 pull up 3's per game, and posted up/drove an additional 3-4 times, statistically. Between his rim effeciency, and the additional free throws that may come with it, id imagine he'd be closer to 30ppg on something like 64%ts, and in the MVP convo.


The data also tells us he's the most effecient clutch time scorer in the NBA.

The only REAL issue with Tatum, imo, is his absolutely God awful shot selection.

He's never gonna be an elite 3pt shooter/pull up 3pt shooter. He's gotten worse each year.

TLDR: The data seems to tell us that Tatum cutting down his pull up 3's, and replacing them with easier shots is the difference between being a top 10 guy and legit MVP caliber player.

Celtics can legit win it all this year, and can beat Denver, imo, IF Tatum plays smarter than he's shown to this far. Really would like to see his decision making change

[ConstableGeneva]

Rest of the masses are catching up on what I've been screaming about for more than a week now.

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Lay off the radio talk show and Twitter narratives. Make it about basketball. Tatum has an easy fix. Post up more. Drive more. Replace the iso pullups into midrange pullups and attacking the rim. Play more offball. Stop with the slowdown bball. The narratives will go away.

[ConstableGeneva]

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[Patsfan1081]

All you need are eyes to tell you JT needs to clean up his shot selection. Problem is however that I highly doubt anyone is pushing him to do so. He doesn’t get the same criticism JB does and you know the coaching staff is just telling him to launch. His assist% peaked two years ago when they got to the finals and is down a couple percentage points since. They’ve added two good scorers this year, that should be going in the other direction.

[bucknersrevenge]

All you need are eyes to tell you JT needs to clean up his shot selection. Problem is however that I highly doubt anyone is pushing him to do so. He doesn’t get the same criticism JB does and you know the coaching staff is just telling him to launch. His assist% peaked two years ago when they got to the finals and is down a couple percentage points since. They’ve added two good scorers this year, that should be going in the other direction.

I've been as critical on this as anyone lately so I will say that I thought his selection was MCUH better today than it has been lately. I think what I'd like to see more is him getting the ball from the wing or the corner more. He's more dynamic from those spots. More likely to try to attack an opening.

[ConstableGeneva]

If this means the Celtics have the 4th best forward on offense, then this is useful to the team.

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[ConstableGeneva]

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[ConstableGeneva]

Who had Derrick White as the answer to non-Tatum minutes?

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