Boston Celtics Prediction Series 2: Jayson Tatum
The Boston Celtics have one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA. What is in store for Jayson Tatum for the upcoming season?
Jayson Tatum is already entering his third season in the NBA and is on the verge of becoming a superstar for the Boston Celtics, as well as the face of their franchise. Danny Ainge virtually handing the keys over to his two young stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown shows the amount of confidence he has in these guys moving forward. Tatum is expected to make a big leap this year and become the superstar he is equipped to be.
Being on the fast track his whole life didn’t stop at the NBA, Tatum was forced into a starting role during his rookie season due to the season ending injury suffered by Gordon Hayward, and that’s when the show started. Last season Tatum averaged 15.7PPG while playing 31.1MPG. Not too shabby for a second year player.
Assuming Tatum is going to average the same amount of minutes per game, he is going to have to be more of an efficient scorer. With Hayward returning and ready for a full-time work load, it’s looking like Tatum is going to be sliding into the four-spot and holding down the power forward position. It is going to require him to be more physical and force him to get under the basket.
The impressive rookies that the Celtics were able to land in the 2019 NBA Draft are turning heads during camp, as summer league is approaching. I do believe all of these guys (Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards, and Tremont Waters) are going to contribute in big ways throughout the season. I foresee Brad Stevens making a unit based around Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Grant Williams at some point this season.
Some say he dunked over the greatest of all time… I say he dunked over Lebron James, but that’s just me. What I’m saying is, we have all witnessed what Tatum can do in the heat of the moment and in pressure situations. He was on the brink of stardom as a rookie, took a good step forward last season, and now I see Tatum taking the next step and leading this Boston Celtics team to an NBA Championship.
Next. Previewing the Eastern Conference in 2019-20. dark
The addition of Walker and Kanter will certainly draw some of the attention away from Tatum, as will the return of a stronger Gordon Hayward. Alongside another player on the verge of stardom in Jaylen Brown, Tatum should be in line for a monster season. I’m predicting an All-Star season from the newest member of Team Jordan , to average: .485FG%, 22.7PPG, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals, two blocks and a 42% effective field goal percentage.