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Jayson Tatum Gets Respect in Rookie Survey

By Joshua Bateman

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The annual rookie survey is helping confirm that Danny Ainge made the right decision in the draft, at least for now

Jayson Tatum was the number three pick in the draft, so it should not be much of a surprise to see him getting respect in the rookie survey.

Funny enough, he does not even crack the top five when it comes to rookie of the year voting. Where he gets respect is in the career trajectory, where he is tied with Lonzo Ball for most likely to have the best career (Via NBA.com).

What is even more interesting is that universally regarded number one pick, Markelle Fultz, barely got five percent of the vote, with both Ball and Tatum getting more than triple that.

While it is odd to see him so low on rookie of the year voting, and so high on best career voting, it does make sense on the Celtics.

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It is hard to imagine a bench player winning rookie of the year, and it will be incredibly difficult for Tatum to start on the championship contending Boston Celtics. All these other high picks will have a lot more control, while Tatum will be limited in order to make sure he is not holding back a much better team.

While Tatum got the respect in the best potential career, the rookies do not seem to know why. Tatum is outside the top five in voting for best shooter, best defender and best play maker. You’d think the rookies would see one of those areas as essential to the best career, but that is clearly not the case.

What the survey confirms is that Tatum has found himself in an ideal position. He has the coach he needs to develop, and he has the talent around him to succeed faster than anyone else in the draft.

Of course, this is a rookie survey and means less than absolutely nothing. That being said, it is interesting to see how these players are viewed by their peers. Everything for Tatum should have been expected.

Next: Grading Boston Celtics Contracts

The real surprise, however, may be how Fultz, the player the Celtics did not want to take over Tatum, seems a but low on most polls for a universally regarded number one pick.

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