This offseason, Jayson Tatum has been working out with Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce. The workouts have led to cool videos on social media that show what it takes to be great.
Pierce even mentioned that the workouts that Tatum had are what greatness looks like.
The fact that Tatum is working out with Pierce and soaking in as much information as possible is awesome and shows that he knows he still has more room to grow. Ultimately, it begs the question, though: What should Tatum be taking from his workouts with Pierce?
Tatum is already one of the most complete players in the NBA, and his two-way ability has made him one of the best players in the world. However, there are areas where Tatum still needs to develop, and he should take a page out of Pierce’s book.
Midrange shooting and leadership is what Jayson Tatum must bring Boston Celtics — just like Paul Pierce did
One thing that Tatum should take from Pierce is his midrange shooting. Pierce was one of the best midrange shooters of his era, and he did most of his work in that area. Later in his career, Pierce became a good three-point shooter, which led to a nice balance offensively.
Not utilizing his midrange jumper is what’s holding Tatum back from averaging 35+ points per game and being the MVP. Tatum is at his best when he is utilizing all parts of the floor and not just settling for three-pointers. I don’t think it’s crazy to say that Tatum could have prime James Harden-type scoring seasons because he is a generational scorer.
Another thing that Tatum can take from Pierce is his leadership. Pierce was a great leader for the Boston Celtics, especially during the big three years. Tatum has taken strides as a leader, but it might be the last step needed for the Celtics to capture Banner 18.
Once Tatum fully taps into his leadership potential, the sky is the limit for him and the Celtics.