Former Celtic weighs in on Boston's chances of reaching the NBA Finals

Josh Richardson was with the Boston Celtics for more than half of the 2021-22 campaign. That was the first year Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the franchise to the NBA Finals. A move at the trade deadline to acquire Derrick White helped them do so. Unfortunately for Richardson, that deal with the San Antonio Spurs also meant he wouldn't be there to experience the rest of that run.

In a recent appearance on the "Ball Knowledge Academy" podcast, the 10-year veteran shared his perspective on Jayson Tatum's return and the impact he can have on the Celtics' ability to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

"Even with 65 percent of Jayson Tatum that changes everything because he gives them size now that they didn't have, and JT is a superstar that competes," said Richardson. "From playing with him, like it's a lot of guys that just want to score and just kind of like loaf, but he really, like, he competes [on] both ends of the floor. He rebounds. He tries to play the right way, and there's a lot to be said about that, and so I think that if he gets up to speed, even close, it's going to change -- like the Celtics can come out [of] the East for sure."

Jayson Tatum's significant step forward

A notable development in Boston's 119-109 victory vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder was the six-time All-Star's uptick in playing time. Tatum logged a season-high 35 minutes. He played the entire final frame.

In this author's opinion, it was also his best performance in the nine games he has suited up in this season. The four-time All-NBA First Team selection generated 19 points and knocked down three of his six attempts from beyond the arc.

Beyond his scoring, Tatum snagged a game-high 12 rebounds. He dished out seven assists, swiped three steals, and swooped in to swat a Luguentz Dort layup attempt.

"He's a great player, and their ceiling is significantly higher when he's out there," said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault before Wednesday's potential NBA Finals preview. "There's also -- I've talked about this with our players, there's return to play, and then there's return to performance. So, when you're coming off a long-term injury like that, I would expect that he's not in full form right off the bat. And he'll just get better and better as he gets more reps and minutes, and as they get more reps and minutes [together].

"But he certainly changes the complexion of their team because of his talent. And there's also the continuity they've had [with] him. He's been here for a long time. They know what they're getting from him and vice versa."

As his stat line against Oklahoma City highlights, Tatum is continuing to perform at a high level in many areas. As he gets his legs underneath him, his minutes increase, and the rust comes off, the star forward is building his confidence in movements he used to make while playing off instinct. He's also recapturing his rhythm as a shooter.

Those are two significant developments that, as the Thunder experienced on Wednesday night at TD Garden, are difference-makers that help give the Celtics the ability to beat any opponent in a best-of-seven series.