The Boston Celtics need Jayson Tatum to play like a superstar every night after trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers. Tatum was the alpha before his Achilles injury. He took over 20 shots per game and finished fourth in MVP voting. Tatum never fully got back to his peak form last season, but the 28-year-old has to deliver every night with Paul George replacing Brown.
George is a better fit in the Celtics’ system, but he took just 13.9 shots per game last season. Brown was taking 21.7 in Boston. Tatum will have to assume Brown's attempts, but the Celtics need even more help, as JT took four more per game than PG last season. Tatum is over a year removed from his devastating Achilles injury, and the Celtics are putting a massive load on his shoulders.
Brad Stevens made it clear that this is Tatum’s team. They believe he can lead the Celtics to another championship. Boston split up the Jays and moved in a new direction. They wanted to avoid spending so much on two players, but that means the pressure is squarely on Tatum’s shoulders moving forward.
Jayson Tatum has all the pressure to be the Celtics’ superstar
George is a nine-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer, but he has bought into more of a 3-and-D role in recent years. The 36-year-old has a lengthy injury history and seems comfortable spacing the floor, making plays, and settling in as more of a third option. Boston shouldn't look to heap more onto his plate.
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White had chances to step forward last season with Tatum sidelined to start the year. White struggled offensively, and Pritchard looked more like a third option. There will be shots to go around, but there is only one true superstar in Boston next season.
Tatum has played with another superstar for his entire career. Kyrie Irving led the charge in his first two seasons before Jaylen Brown blossomed into his co-star. Boston has been a contender every year and plans to remain there.
Things will be different with JT as the lone star. They won three of the four games last season where Tatum scored under 20 points, but Brown averaged 28.5 points per game in those contests. They may get a 30-point night from PG, Pritchard, or White, but nobody else on the roster is averaging 28.5 per game when Tatum doesn’t have it going.
The Celtics are fully leaning into Mazzulla Ball. They are going to run a ton of pick-and-rolls, spam 3-pointers, and play stout defense. Tatum will be the head of the snake, and teams will be trying to shut him down. There is no Brown to worry about. Stopping Tatum means winning the game. That is a different level of pressure.
Jayson Tatum is ready for the challenge. He is one of the five best players in the world when fully healthy. Fans haven’t seen that since he tore his Achilles, but the Boston Celtics clearly believe he will be all the way back. They put a ton on his shoulders. Fans know Brad Stevens won’t have done that if Tatum wasn’t ready for it.
Expect a monster season, but things will be different. For the first time in his NBA career, Tatum is the alpha with no co-star to back him up. Things will be more difficult, but this is his chance to make his case for being the best player on the planet. Celtics fans know Tatum is capable of reaching those heights, and the opportunity is right in front of him.
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