Fultz vs. Tatum: What do you think now?

[DK-All Day]

Something really bad happened in his meeting with us. Before that everything was pointing toward us taking him and it felt like before Fultz left Boston, Ainge was on the phone in Philly rushing to get a deal done.

When Ainge retires, I hope he writes a book...

[FinallyImHere]

It will work perfectly fine. This isn't the 90s anymore. Tatum has the length of a modern PF. Weight is not there quite yet. It's clear the Celtics want to be able to seamlessly switch between the 2-4 positions. In fact Stevens has gone on record multiple times believing there is only 3 main positions in today's NBA (ball handler, wing, big), and even then there can be crossover between those 3 positions.

I hope you're right I just don't feel comfortable having Tatum at the 4 I see him as the perfect 3. Maybe if he puts on some series weight grows an inch or two then I'll feel better with him at the 4.

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Thank god Tatum has a frame that can easily be bulked just by looking at his dads IG you can tell his body has bulk potential. Can't say the same for a player like Ingram.

[Slartibartfast]

It will work perfectly fine. This isn't the 90s anymore. Tatum has the length of a modern PF. Weight is not there quite yet. It's clear the Celtics want to be able to seamlessly switch between the 2-4 positions. In fact Stevens has gone on record multiple times believing there is only 3 main positions in today's NBA (ball handler, wing, big), and even then there can be crossover between those 3 positions.

I hope you're right I just don't feel comfortable having Tatum at the 4 I see him as the perfect 3. Maybe if he puts on some series weight grows an inch or two then I'll feel better with him at the 4.

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

[FinallyImHere]

I hope you're right I just don't feel comfortable having Tatum at the 4 I see him as the perfect 3. Maybe if he puts on some series weight grows an inch or two then I'll feel better with him at the 4.

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Yes his lower body does look a little weak. Went to the home opener and I cringe every time he's in the post fighting for rebounds against bigger guys.

[jmr07019]

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Yes his lower body does look a little weak. Went to the home opener and I cringe every time he's in the post fighting for rebounds against bigger guys.

His DREB% is very similar to the numbers Durant and LeBron have posted throughout their careers.

Durant career - 18.5
James career - 17.9
Melo career - 15.1
Tatum 3 games - 18.6

[Duke4life831]

I hope you're right I just don't feel comfortable having Tatum at the 4 I see him as the perfect 3. Maybe if he puts on some series weight grows an inch or two then I'll feel better with him at the 4.

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Thank god Tatum has a frame that can easily be bulked just by looking at his dads IG you can tell his body has bulk potential. Can't say the same for a player like Ingram.

You can just tell from Tatum's shoulders that his body is going to bulk up pretty easy.

The weird thing with Ingram is that his dad is a pretty thick dude.



Just look at the arm difference between the two. I do remember hearing that Ingram's dad said he was pretty skinny as well as a teenager and didnt really grow into his body till his early to mid 20s. So who knows it may happen for him, but ya he doesnt seem to have the body that will put on too much weight.

[Duke4life831]

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Yes his lower body does look a little weak. Went to the home opener and I cringe every time he's in the post fighting for rebounds against bigger guys.

His DREB% is very similar to the numbers Durant and LeBron have posted throughout their careers.

Durant career - 18.5
James career - 17.9
Melo career - 15.1
Tatum 3 games - 18.6

This is one thing that puzzled me with Tatum at Duke and one of the reasons I had hope for his explosion all around. There were plenty of times that when Tatum went up for a rebound, the dude really got up there. But then he would attack the basket on a drive and barely get any lift. I think hes a better 2 foot jumper than 1 foot jumper. But I think he is a good rebounder because he has good length, a great knack for where the ball is going to be and he can get up pretty well jumping off 2 feet and not from the run.

[IBelieveInBrad]

You can tell by Tatum's very narrow waist that bulking will NOT be easy for him.

[FinallyImHere]

You can tell by Tatum's very narrow waist that bulking will NOT be easy for him.

So the 3 is a better suited position than the 4 for him?

[SmartWentCrazy]

I hope you're right I just don't feel comfortable having Tatum at the 4 I see him as the perfect 3. Maybe if he puts on some series weight grows an inch or two then I'll feel better with him at the 4.

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Anthony Davis seems to be doing alright with his skinny legs and cannonball shoulders.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Well, Woj just confirmed the world's worst kept secret - that Fultz is injured. It will be interesting to hear the Sixers medical staff explain why they let him try to play through that injury.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Well, Woj just confirmed the world's worst kept secret - that Fultz is injured. It will be interesting to hear the Sixers medical staff explain why they let him try to play through that injury.

They legitimately have the dumbest medical staff on the planet. Letting Embiid play on a torn meniscus last year was terrible, and this is pretty egregious as well. I’d be furious if I were a philly fan.

[Baller1234a]

Yes his lower body does look a little weak. Went to the home opener and I cringe every time he's in the post fighting for rebounds against bigger guys.

His DREB% is very similar to the numbers Durant and LeBron have posted throughout their careers.

Durant career - 18.5
James career - 17.9
Melo career - 15.1
Tatum 3 games - 18.6

This is one thing that puzzled me with Tatum at Duke and one of the reasons I had hope for his explosion all around. There were plenty of times that when Tatum went up for a rebound, the dude really got up there. But then he would attack the basket on a drive and barely get any lift. I think hes a better 2 foot jumper than 1 foot jumper. But I think he is a good rebounder because he has good length, a great knack for where the ball is going to be and he can get up pretty well jumping off 2 feet and not from the run.

I think his foot injury had something to do with it as well. He seems a LOT more athletic than I thought he would be. The man is going coast to coast on steals and long rebounds

[cloverleaf]

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Thank god Tatum has a frame that can easily be bulked just by looking at his dads IG you can tell his body has bulk potential. Can't say the same for a player like Ingram.

You can just tell from Tatum's shoulders that his body is going to bulk up pretty easy.

The weird thing with Ingram is that his dad is a pretty thick dude.



Just look at the arm difference between the two. I do remember hearing that Ingram's dad said he was pretty skinny as well as a teenager and didnt really grow into his body till his early to mid 20s. So who knows it may happen for him, but ya he doesnt seem to have the body that will put on too much weight.

They both have relatively broad shoulders, however (as does Tatum, of course).

[SeizeCoup]

Called it, kid has been playing injured.

Should the 6ers try to cash in some of their chips? And could the C's be buyers?

[Banks2Pierce]

You can tell by Tatum's very narrow waist that bulking will NOT be easy for him.

So the 3 is a better suited position than the 4 for him?

Seems like he'll be able to play either at a high level. Will hurt most 3s with his length and 4s with his skills. Rebounds like a 4. Early returns with guarding 3s quickness-wise have been mixed. If his skills project out to the star level, he will be able to fit in with a wide variety of players because he can shoot.

[Slartibartfast]

He needs to add some bulk for sure. I do believe he’s taller than the 6’8 number he measured at in high school, though.

If I had to guess, he’s a solid 6’9 to 6’9.5 with a 9 foot standing reach— both of which are solid for a PF.

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Anthony Davis seems to be doing alright with his skinny legs and cannonball shoulders.

See my second paragraph. He measured a 7'5.5 wingspan and he grew an extra inch post draft so it's probably more like 7'6.

Low center of gravity doesn't make much difference at all when you are freakishly long (and freakishly athletic to boot). People could move KG around all over the place but he was so long it didn't matter. Likewise he was actually quite poor at moving people on the block (remember how he got nowhere against undersized tanks like Maxiell and Hayes) but he could still just shoot over them, stuff them or snatch rebounds from over their heads as needed.

Tatum's length isn't freakish so he's not going to have rougher match-up issues against similarly sized PFs with stronger bases.

Against SFs though he should be fine. He moves his feet well enough to at least bother the quicker guys and he has plus length for a wing. I think he rebounds really nicely in space too, which is as valuable at SF as at PF.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Height-wise he's fine for PF.

It's the lower-body that's more at issue. If you aren't freakishly long like Davis, Porzingis, Giannis or Durant, it's easier to hack it as a full-time PF if you have low center of gravity and a lot of lower-body strength. The other premiere PFs in the game - LBJ, Green, Griffin, Millsap - aren't much heightwise but they all have lower centers of gravity and a lot of leg power. Even Ben Simmons is a solid 230 pounds with a strong base.

Tatum looks like he's filling out, but his physical profile is still closer to the lighter combo forwards (somewhere in between a total stick figure like Ingram and the thicker Rudy Gay).

Anthony Davis seems to be doing alright with his skinny legs and cannonball shoulders.

See my second paragraph. He measured a 7'5.5 wingspan and he grew an extra inch post draft so it's probably more like 7'6.

Low center of gravity doesn't make much difference at all when you are freakishly long (and freakishly athletic to boot). People could move KG around all over the place but he was so long it didn't matter. Likewise he was actually quite poor at moving people on the block (remember how he got nowhere against undersized tanks like Maxiell and Hayes) but he could still just shoot over them, stuff them or snatch rebounds from over their heads as needed.

Tatum's length isn't freakish so he's not going to have rougher match-up issues against similarly sized PFs with stronger bases.

Against SFs though he should be fine. He moves his feet well enough to at least bother the quicker guys and he has plus length for a wing. I think he rebounds really nicely in space too, which is as valuable at SF as at PF.

To be honest, I had no idea his wingspan was that ridiculous. I stand fully corrected.

[Slartibartfast]

Anthony Davis seems to be doing alright with his skinny legs and cannonball shoulders.

See my second paragraph. He measured a 7'5.5 wingspan and he grew an extra inch post draft so it's probably more like 7'6.

Low center of gravity doesn't make much difference at all when you are freakishly long (and freakishly athletic to boot). People could move KG around all over the place but he was so long it didn't matter. Likewise he was actually quite poor at moving people on the block (remember how he got nowhere against undersized tanks like Maxiell and Hayes) but he could still just shoot over them, stuff them or snatch rebounds from over their heads as needed.

Tatum's length isn't freakish so he's not going to have rougher match-up issues against similarly sized PFs with stronger bases.

Against SFs though he should be fine. He moves his feet well enough to at least bother the quicker guys and he has plus length for a wing. I think he rebounds really nicely in space too, which is as valuable at SF as at PF.

To be honest, I had no idea his wingspan was that ridiculous. I stand fully corrected.

It's not really fair to be that athletic and that long. Once/if he's freed of idiotic NOP management he's going to rule the league defensively as a 5.

[Jakeopp]

Called it, kid has been playing injured.

Should the 6ers try to cash in some of their chips? And could the C's be buyers?

What chips?