Boston Celtics: 3 players with most to prove at NBA Disney
By Mark Nilon
Player with most to prove at NBA Disney No. 1: Jayson Tatum, F
Jayson Tatum‘s inclusion on this list is mainly to eradicate the notion by Brian Windhorst that the Boston Celtics will “most likely” be offering him a max contract extension this offseason. While it was simply a safe route for the ESPN analyst to take by not etching a claim in stone, we all know the truth: come this time next season, Tatum will be a max contract player.
The league’s return to action could certainly set the stage for him to wash away the “most likely” statement and turn it into a “definitely.”
Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock these past eight months, you are quite aware of the fantastic season that the C’s 22-year-old stud has been having. Through 59 games played, the 6-8 wing has posted an impressive stat line of 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and just shy of a block per game on 45 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep.
With his performance, the shamrocks have managed to become a real threat to the Milwaukee Bucks and their chances to represent the Eastern Conference in this year’s NBA Finals.
Earning his first All-Star nod, Tatum proved to be not just a problem for those facing him in the east but, frankly, in the entire association. Whether it be his performances against Kawhi Leonard & Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers or against LeBron James and the LA Lakers, he has proven to be a handful for anyone tasked with guarding him throughout the regular season.
With the fact that the Celtics have already clinched their playoff berth, Boston will seemingly have their sights solely set on their postseason run, while Tatum will look to both help guide his team deep into the second season as well as definitively prove his worth of a max contract extension.