Gregg Popovich believes Jayson Tatum could be the NBA’s next great two-way player. With this, Boston Celtics fans have yet another reason to be excited about what the future may have in store.
Since coming into the league back in 2017, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been seen by many as one of the brightest young stars the NBA has to offer. From his stupendous shooting touch to his voracity when finishing at the rim the, now, 21-year-old has electrified fans and has many believing he will soon be seen as the face of the Cs franchise.
In the midst of a fantastic year, the Duke product finds himself boasting career bests virtually all across the board. Averaging 21.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and just under a block per game, Tatum has been one of the main factors in Boston’s stellar 31-15 record and is gearing up for his first All-Star nod of his career.
His ascension in 2019-20 has been an absolute joy to watch for Celtics fans everywhere. According to Gregg Popovich, however, this is just the beginning of how special he can potentially be.
Recently, Jackie MacMullan of ESPN penned an article discussing Tatum and Popovich’s time together during this summer’s FIBA World Cup tournament, and reported on a conversation between the two in which the future Hall of Fame coach explained the heights in which the wing’s career can go to.
"“Do you know how special you can be?” Popovich asked Tatum. “There are very few two-way players in our game, and you have the opportunity to be one of them. You could be like Kawhi [Leonard] and Paul George.”"
When the greatest coach of all time — in my opinion — speaks about the game of basketball, you listen. When he says something as bold, as big and as complimentary as this, you believe him… and you get excited.
Frankly, it doesn’t get much better than that; being grouped in the same conversation as two of the best players in the league today. Tatum was so honored by this statement that, according to MacMullan, he was simply at a loss for words.
"Tatum was so surprised he didn’t answer at first, prompting Popovich to hastily add, “I hope I haven’t offended you.”“Offended me?” Tatum said. “That’s a compliment!”"
A compliment it is!
Legitimate two-way players are hard to come by in today’s NBA. Kawhi Leonard (4x All-Star, 2x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2x Defensive Player of the Year), and George (6x All-Star, 5x All-NBA honoree, 4x NBA All-Defensive honoree) are one of the many few that are just as dominant on offense as they are on defense.
Players of this magnitude are true game changers, and Popovich believes the Boston Celtics have one in the making in Tatum. And, so far this season, it would appear the forward has made strides in the right direction to proving the 3x NBA Coach of the Year right.
Aside from upping his scoring averages by about six points from the season prior, Tatum has made huge progress on the defensive side of the ball as well. With his lengthy 6-11 wingspan, Tatum has proven to be a pest on D, especially when it comes to the screen-and-roll.
"Boston allows 0.82 points per play when Tatum defends the ball handler on screens, the sixth-best mark in the league among players to face at least 300 picks.The Celtics have posted a 101.8 defensive rating with Tatum on the court, and a 107.3 defensive rating when he sits."
We’ve all seen how much potential Jayson Tatum has. These comments by Pop just show how special he can truly be.
Assuming Danny Ainge extends Tatum this summer, with Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart locked in for the next several seasons, the future appears to be extremely bright for this young and talented Boston Celtics squad.