Draft Results: Jayson Tatum or the next Paul Pierce?
By Jake Schwab
With Jayson Tatum now on the Celtics, fans and experts alike can’t help but see the similarities between the young forward and a well known Celtic legend.
Now that the 2017 NBA Draft has concluded, experts around the league begin to speculate just how far some of these prospects can go.
Jayson Tatum, the young man that would’ve been taken by this team regardless of having the first pick or not, has already been given big shoes to fill, as he has been compared to the former Celtic great Paul Pierce. It most definitely would not be wrong to say that Tatum has what it takes to become a “new age” Pierce.
Tatum has quite a few similarities to Pierce, whether it’s their footwork, or their midrange game, as well as the resemblance in their ability to create their own shots. Fortunately, Celtics fans can rejoice over their young acquisition, rather than mourn over losing Markelle Fultz to the Sixers.
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One very intriguing stat that the Celtics more than likely noticed with Tatum, is his field goal average of 50.4%. Now, before anyone says “That’s just because he dunks a lot” or “He usually just drives to the rim anyways”, let me stop you.
Even though Tatum may not be the elegant 3-point shooter that the Celtics could use, he is the guy that can factor in drawing fouls while driving in the paint. Seeing that Isaiah Thomas shot most of the team’s free throws last year, this gives him the ability to pass the ball in better hopes of making the shot off the contact rather than going toe to toe with players that tower over him.
It is known that Tatum will be focusing on improving is shot, and once he gets it down, he may just be on his way to being one of the next great small forwards in this league. Many make the complaint that Tatum is too similar to Brown; however, seeing the potential Jaylen and Jayson have in their future, why not have them both?
As a duo Brown and Tatum can be a menace on defense as well as dominate on the offensive end. Thankfully the Celtics seem like they are hoping to keep Tatum, and turn him into the star others believe he can be.
Next: Boston Celtics Prioritizing Shooting on Draft Night
He may not be wearing #34 but he sure will be playing like he is once the 2017-18 season begins. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait that long, as summer league starts in just a little over a week, where these prospects will be seen in their new colors on the court for the first time.