What is Jayson Tatum's ceiling?

[Fencer reregistered]

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/02/03/jayson-tatum-celtics-path-stardom

Another Tatum profile, from childhood through the present. Paints him as an EXTREMELY quick study. Also paints him as somebody who thrives when he's screamed at by coaches.

It has an even stronger version of the usual flaw in writing about his childhood, in that it says:
-- Poverty was a huge problem.
-- Tatum's dad properly sent money.
and does nothing to resolve the paradox or apparent contradiction.

Describes the relationship with Deuce's mama as "a healthy co-parenting relationship". I'd have preferred them to be hopelessly in faithfully-committed love, as that would lessen any concerns about him wanting to live in a flashier city, or for that matter partying too hard on road trips. Oh well ...

[RodyTur10]

If the Nuggets let Jokic even contemplate leaving, they are the most daft organization in all of pro sports. He is the best player in basketball, he gets better every year, he's better in the playoffs than the regular season, he's 25, his game will age until he's 75. And the Nuggets are the best-run team in the NBA. No chance they would ever let him go. I'd love it, but it's a pipe dream upon a pipe dream. A dude like Jokic comes around once every 50 years, I would be amazed if Denver let him even sniff free agency. You build a list of players you would trade Tatum for straight up and it's Jokic, Giannis, Luka, and maybe not even the last two.

You will never win a championship with Jokic as your best player.

Same goes for Harden, Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Embiid, Towns, Beal, George, Irving, Gobert, Sabonis, Young, Brown, Simmons, Mitchell or Booker?

Sorry, but this is such an empty statement. Jokic is a prime MVP-candidate and on top of that a proven clutch playoff performer who led his team to the Western Conference Finals (only defeated by the later champions).

[Saint Lazarus]

If the Nuggets let Jokic even contemplate leaving, they are the most daft organization in all of pro sports. He is the best player in basketball, he gets better every year, he's better in the playoffs than the regular season, he's 25, his game will age until he's 75. And the Nuggets are the best-run team in the NBA. No chance they would ever let him go. I'd love it, but it's a pipe dream upon a pipe dream. A dude like Jokic comes around once every 50 years, I would be amazed if Denver let him even sniff free agency. You build a list of players you would trade Tatum for straight up and it's Jokic, Giannis, Luka, and maybe not even the last two.

You will never win a championship with Jokic as your best player.

Same goes for Harden, Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Embiid, Towns, Beal, George, Irving, Gobert, Sabonis, Young, Brown, Simmons, Mitchell or Booker?

Sorry, but this is such an empty statement. Jokic is a prime MVP-candidate and on top of that a proven clutch playoff performer who led his team to the Western Conference Finals (only defeated by the later champions).

My guy said Jokic is a guy who comes once every 50 years. I didn’t say that about any of the aforementioned players.

A center who can’t rim protect or switch like Draymond Green won’t lead your team anywhere.

[bisme37]

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/02/03/jayson-tatum-celtics-path-stardom

Another Tatum profile, from childhood through the present. Paints him as an EXTREMELY quick study. Also paints him as somebody who thrives when he's screamed at by coaches.

It has an even stronger version of the usual flaw in writing about his childhood, in that it says:
-- Poverty was a huge problem.
-- Tatum's dad properly sent money.
and does nothing to resolve the paradox or apparent contradiction.

Describes the relationship with Deuce's mama as "a healthy co-parenting relationship". I'd have preferred them to be hopelessly in faithfully-committed love, as that would lessen any concerns about him wanting to live in a flashier city, or for that matter partying too hard on road trips. Oh well ...

That was a great article.

I love the parts about how JT is so logical and doesn't take anything personal. When his mom was reading online trolls saying mean stuff about him, JT said "Mom, you don’t know any of those people—why are you reading it?"

And when Deuce gets older he wants him to say "My Dad is cold!"

JT SO COLD!

[Fencer reregistered]

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/02/03/jayson-tatum-celtics-path-stardom

Another Tatum profile, from childhood through the present. Paints him as an EXTREMELY quick study. Also paints him as somebody who thrives when he's screamed at by coaches.

It has an even stronger version of the usual flaw in writing about his childhood, in that it says:
-- Poverty was a huge problem.
-- Tatum's dad properly sent money.
and does nothing to resolve the paradox or apparent contradiction.

Describes the relationship with Deuce's mama as "a healthy co-parenting relationship". I'd have preferred them to be hopelessly in faithfully-committed love, as that would lessen any concerns about him wanting to live in a flashier city, or for that matter partying too hard on road trips. Oh well ...

That was a great article.

I love the parts about how JT is so logical and doesn't take anything personal. When his mom was reading online trolls saying mean stuff about him, JT said "Mom, you don’t know any of those people—why are you reading it?"

And when Deuce gets older he wants him to say "My Dad is cold!"

JT SO COLD!

Ice. Jaylen brings the fire.

[Celtic Koala]

If the Nuggets let Jokic even contemplate leaving, they are the most daft organization in all of pro sports. He is the best player in basketball, he gets better every year, he's better in the playoffs than the regular season, he's 25, his game will age until he's 75. And the Nuggets are the best-run team in the NBA. No chance they would ever let him go. I'd love it, but it's a pipe dream upon a pipe dream. A dude like Jokic comes around once every 50 years, I would be amazed if Denver let him even sniff free agency. You build a list of players you would trade Tatum for straight up and it's Jokic, Giannis, Luka, and maybe not even the last two.

Jokic becomes an UFA in 2023 and if the team keeps not going in any direction I could see Jokic demanding a trade. It all depends on MPJ becoming an All-star caliber player and Murray keeping his bubble form.

[Bleeding Green]

Keeps not going in any direction? It's like the best run organization in basketball and they were just in the WCF with a roster full of players under 25. You're out of your **** mind if you think you can't win with Jokic. Is there a player who elevates his already incredible game to a higher degree than Jokic does in the playoffs? I think no.

[BostonCouchGM]

If the Nuggets let Jokic even contemplate leaving, they are the most daft organization in all of pro sports. He is the best player in basketball, he gets better every year, he's better in the playoffs than the regular season, he's 25, his game will age until he's 75. And the Nuggets are the best-run team in the NBA. No chance they would ever let him go. I'd love it, but it's a pipe dream upon a pipe dream. A dude like Jokic comes around once every 50 years, I would be amazed if Denver let him even sniff free agency. You build a list of players you would trade Tatum for straight up and it's Jokic, Giannis, Luka, and maybe not even the last two.

Most of Jokic's offense is negated by his truly terrible defense. Kinda like Luka, who is easily the most overrated NBA basketball player in history. If the league wasn't desperate to make him a star, and didn't allow carries, travels, push offs and moving screens, Luka would be a better passing, worse shooting Kyle Anderson.

[Feed Your Head]

Settled for some bad shots today, but the playmaking was up there with the best I’ve seen from him. Scal said it, but he easily could have had 10+ assists. It wasn’t passing around the perimeter assists either, was driving and dishing, getting guys wide open looks off of traps, cross court lasers. No turnovers, on top of it.

Super encouraging. Him and Jaylen just keep improving.

[grindtime22]

Tatum added a very encouraging move over the last couple of games where he holds the ball out front on his drive. It's something that Harden has done a lot over the years. Tatum got the and1 against the Clippers with it on a dunk and he used it a couple of times against Phoenix. He missed on a drive using this against the Suns, but it still looked good. I don't ever remember him doing it before this road trip.

I'm glad to see another tool in the bag for Tatum. His two biggest weaknesses on the offensive end are scoring in the paint and getting to the free throw line. This seems to have helped the last couple of games.

[Jaqua92]

Tatum is a ridiculously skilled offensive player.

However, I don’t think he has the dogged mentality like many of the guys from the 08 team. What made guys like Kobe and MJ special was their relentless, insatiable thirst for winning. Pierce had it as well. He played with so much heart and willed us back in so many games. Tatum doesn’t seem to have that personality. I’d even go as far to say that he can be a little mentally soft at times.

To get the best out of Tatum, I think Ainge needs to surround him (and Brown) with team focused guys who are on a mission.

You don’t average 26/10/5 during a long playoff run, while getting doubled/trapped/box and one’d a majority of the time if you’re mentally soft, especially at 22 years old.

It takes time to build up the mentality that you’re talking about.

No it doesn't.

It's a personality trait. Not a developed skill lol

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Gomes3PC]

Players absolutely develop personality and an edge. The kid KD was when he was entering the league was a drastically different personality than the killer who he is now, for example. It even took Bron like 7-8 years to figure that out.

Like I said earlier, most true alpha stars still take 6-7 years before they can truly lead a team to a title or title contention. Tatum is in year 4, with 2 ECF runs in 3 years already. He's improving almost across the board. He by all accounts likes it here and is committed to the Celtics. We need to be patient and commit to him/Brown.

[Parliament10]

Players absolutely develop personality and an edge. The kid KD was when he was entering the league was a drastically different personality than the killer who he is now, for example. It even took Bron like 7-8 years to figure that out.

Like I said earlier, most true alpha stars still take 6-7 years before they can truly lead a team to a title or title contention. Tatum is in year 4, with 2 ECF runs in 3 years already. He's improving almost across the board. He by all accounts likes it here and is committed to the Celtics. We need to be patient and commit to him/Brown.

Agreed. It took even Jordan his 7th season, before he began winning championships.

[zoyathedestroya]

Is this too high a bar?

Read on Twitter

[Ill News]

Tatum is a ridiculously skilled offensive player.

However, I don’t think he has the dogged mentality like many of the guys from the 08 team. What made guys like Kobe and MJ special was their relentless, insatiable thirst for winning. Pierce had it as well. He played with so much heart and willed us back in so many games. Tatum doesn’t seem to have that personality. I’d even go as far to say that he can be a little mentally soft at times.

To get the best out of Tatum, I think Ainge needs to surround him (and Brown) with team focused guys who are on a mission.

You don’t average 26/10/5 during a long playoff run, while getting doubled/trapped/box and one’d a majority of the time if you’re mentally soft, especially at 22 years old.

It takes time to build up the mentality that you’re talking about.

No it doesn't.

It's a personality trait. Not a developed skill lol

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Gotta agree with Comedian here. Wasn't the main criticism against LeBron before his first title was that he was "mentally soft" and that he didn't have that "killer instinct" that MJ and Kobe had? Bill Simmons even blamed LeBron's lack of a father figure for his lack of mental strength and fortitude, lol. Well, look at how clutch LeBron is now. If the Warriors hadn't emerged as a powerhouse, he'd probably have 7 titles to his name. So saying that having a killer instinct or mental toughness can't be learned isn't always the case.

Tatum is in year 4, relax. He's already shown he's great in the clutch. It'll only be a matter of time until he becomes fully confident in his abilities and walks into games with the belief that no one is better than him on the floor. Of course, this is contingent on him getting the right supporting cast as well. This team just has too many unripe talents, and it's probably deflating for Tatum to have to drag this team to relevancy especially since they were just in the ECF last season.

[playa-hater]

I have already declared my belief that JT is a multiple time MVP candidate. Multiple time All NBA selection (especially when Lebron and KD age a bit more)

But to best describe what I think about Tatum and his ability/ceiling is that I think he will be a hybrid somewhere between Grant Hill and Kobe.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

Poor shot selection and low FT rate are keeping him from becoming among the best offensive weapons in the league.

[Feed Your Head]

Read on Twitter

Poor shot selection and low FT rate are keeping him from becoming among the best offensive weapons in the league.

The midrange shots are driving me crazy, and he’s so up and down with getting to the line. My hope is it’s just struggling with post covid, and that he doesn’t have the legs to shoot crazy high volume from deep. It’s just such a weird step in the other direction after dropping his midrange shots so far last year.

It’s funny that LEBRON doesn’t have him that high offensively, yet he’s 16th in the league in the stat overall. It seems like their new version of PIPM, which I loved. I want to see how this one goes over the course of the season, but the formula seems relatively solid. The new RPM is garbage, and I hate the basketball reference impact stats.

[Feed Your Head]

His playmaking and willingness to pass has gotten much better, but 1 out of every 4 or 5 games or so he completely reverts to pretty extreme tunnel vision, and making slow decisions when trapped.

You’d think that seeing how well passing the ball and quick decisions works, that he’d try to do it every game. But it’s growing pains, and as annoying as it is, the good far outweighs the bad.

[akidlittle]

I can be wrong, but isn't he turning into an egoist who mostly cares about his own big moments and impressive statline. Ball just dies in his hands. I remember a couple his interviews from last season. The first one was before the season started. He was talking about his goals for the season and one of them was scoring 20 ppg. The second interview was with JJ Redick. In this one he mentioned that he wanted to get drafted by the Suns. Why? Cause he could score 20 ppg there lol.
Appetite comes with eating. What if he's obsessed with 30 ppg now? Considering him not being an efficient scorer and talented passer isn't it going to harm the team?