Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

Boston Celtics have to get Jayson Tatum the ball more

By Nicholas Frazier

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls on December 23, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Chicago Bulls on December 23, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Celtics need to start getting Jayson Tatum more shots on offense

If you’ve watched even just a handful of Boston Celtics games this season, you know that Jayson Tatum has a very bright future in the NBA. The 19-year-old (!!) has wowed us with his consistent performances on the offensive and defensive end.

His knack for scoring is what draws the most attention, and for good reason. Tatum’s advanced footwork and isolation moves regularly produce highlight material. Throw in his 46 percent shooting percentage from deep and you have a rookie who looks like a future All-Star that averages 20 a game.

The question is, with how impressive Tatum has been this season, why isn’t he getting – and taking – more shots?

Despite his 57.3 eFG percentage, Tatum ranks sixth on the Celtics in shots taken per game. He sits behind Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Marcus Morris and Marcus Smart at just 9.4 shots per game.

More from Hardwood Houdini

Irving and Horford should take more shots than Tatum given their role in the offense. But Tatum getting the sixth-most shots on the team is puzzling on the surface. It’s especially surprising when you consider that Morris plays seven less minutes per game than Tatum, and Smart is shooting under 35 percent from the floor.

Sure enough, the Celtics appear to be a better team when Tatum gets his scoring opportunities. In 11 losses this season, the Duke product takes only 8.6 shots per game. Most recently, Tatum took just six shots in an overtime loss to the Pelicans on Jan. 16. One of the top two or three scorers on a team should almost never take just six shots in a game.

Perhaps one reason Tatum hasn’t gotten more looks this season is his timidness in the first quarter. It often takes Tatum a while to get comfortable in games, which is understandable given his limited experience. According to Basketball Reference, he takes just over two shots per first quarter despite shooting 50 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from deep in that quarter. This coincides with the Celtics’ troubling tendency to fall behind early on in games.

Another likely reason is that Brad Stevens just hasn’t adjusted to Tatum’s scoring abilities yet, as crazy as that sounds. Obviously no one anticipated Tatum being so vital to the Celtics’ success before Gordon Hayward went down against the Cavaliers. And the Celtics have had very few practices this season thanks to their condensed schedule. Once the All-Star break finally arrives, expect Brad to tweak the game plan to make Tatum the true third (or even second) scoring option, as that hiatus is a good time for Stevens to take a look back on the season and make necessary changes.

For example, out of all 87 players currently shooting above 40 percent on 3-pointers, Tatum ranks 38th in 3-point shots per game (3.0). After the All-Star break, expect the Celtics to run more plays that get Tatum open looks from the corners, especially the right corner, where Tatum is shooting 60 percent from this season.

Ultimately, Tatum is going to have to accept the scorer role and begin games much more aggressive in the second half of the season. It’s clear that a player as consistent as him isn’t likely to hit the dreaded “rookie wall” anytime soon. Yes, his efficiency will take a dip the more shots he takes, but clearly Tatum is the one who should average double-digit shots, not Smart or Morris, who’s shot selection can be frustrating to watch.

Next: Boston Celtics Fall to 76ers

The Celtics and Tatum could keep things as it is on offense and continue to win games, or Tatum could take more control on the offensive end and let guys like Brown, Smart and Morris save more of their energy for defense. Here’s hoping the budding star opts to be more assertive with the ball in his hands from now on.

Home/Celtics News