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Boston Celtics: 3 things Cs fans should be thankful for

By Dallas Malloy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Marcus Smart #36, Jayson Tatum #0, and Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics look on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Marcus Smart #36, Jayson Tatum #0, and Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics look on during the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2021 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /

This has been a tale of two seasons to say the very least for the Boston Celtics.

After a 2-5 start, many questioned if this team was even capable of making the playoffs. However, The Cs went 8-3 over the next 11 games, following the embarrassing start. They have really turned it around, on both ends frankly.

In those first seven games, Boston ranked 19th offensively, 25th defensively, and 24th in Net-Rating. Since then, they rank 16th offensively, first defensively, and third in Net-Rating. This is quite the turnaround, and while the offense could still use some work, health will be a larger factor.

The Boston Celtics have already been bitten by the injury bug, with Jaylen Brown missing basically half the season thus far, Robert Williams missing time — the only real constant has been Jayson Tatum.

Except, this season has been anything but consistent for Tatum, who has massively struggled at the beginning of this season.

Nonetheless, that statement leads us to our first thing to be thankful for…

Thing Boston Celtics fans should be thankful for No.1) The return of Jayson Tatum

In the first 14 games of the season for Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum averaged 23.5 points per game on a horrific 38.6/31.6/76.8 shooting splits, the worst splits he has averaged in his career.

Everything was off, he seemingly couldn’t shoot 3-pointers anymore, he wasn’t driving nearly enough, and everything else in his game suffered. He only had five games within the first 14 where he shot above 40 percent from the field.

There were talks of building around Jaylen Brown, and tons of slander for the Celtics superstar. We all tend to get wrapped up in recency bias, however, it was reaching new heights during this struggle for Tatum.

The struggle is no more.

Over the last four games, he has averaged 33.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on near 50/40/90 shooting splits, with the Celtics having gone 3-1 in this stretch.

He has been so good, in fact, that even the great Bill Russell decided to chime in.

You know you’re probably doing pretty well if it has garnered the respect of one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, and a complete Celtics legend.

Let us all hope he can continue this to some extent because the Boston Celtics will only go as far as the Jays take them.

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