Jayson Tatum projecting huge year for himself and Boston Celtics

After what many view as a “down year,” Boston Celtics forward, Jayson Tatum is setting the bar high going into season three.

A video has recently surfaced of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum sitting down with the digital marketing director of the popular NBA 2K video game franchise, Ronnie Singh, to discuss Tatum’s rating for the games newest installment.

Tatum (an 85 overall) wasn’t exactly satisfied with the rating 2K awarded him heading into the 2019-20 NBA season.

“90,” Tatum answered when asked what his rating would be by the end of the year. “Im gonna average over 20, all-star, and the Boston Celtics are going to the championship.”

It may not be the declaration of Jaylen Brown a year ago when saying he’d win multiple championships before his late twenties, but these are some big time feats to accomplish for Tatum.

Averaging over 20 per game is a goal most lottery picks on their rookie contracts set for themselves, but few ever pull off. For Tatum, this isn’t that farfetched of an idea.

In the 2018 playoffs, Tatum already managed to average 18 points as a rookie. Hitting the 20 point threshold was likely a goal he had last year, but was unable to hit due to so many other good scorers on the roster.

The reoccuring theme of FIBA participants having career years coming of the experience of Team USA is well documented over the last decade.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson won a world championship the season following the 2014 world cup. Kyrie Irving was also a beneficiary of that summer, as his numbers went up across the board and was a significant factor as to why LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tatum will also get a chance to develop a rapport with at least one Boston Celtics teammate also participating in the world cup, Kemba Walker, and potentially Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown who have received training camp invites.

History is on Tatum’s side here. With a lot less clutter around him, this is something that’s definitely within reach; and the Celtics may need him to do it for their own sake.

Regardless of how you feel about Gordon Hayward’s recovery, there are still a lot of question about how much he can get back. Walker will need a solidified number two scoring option by his side if the Boston Celtics wish to contend for a title. Tatum making this drastic leap in year three would be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Even if he doesn’t get there, as the old saying goes, shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.