Tag Archives: Jayson Tatum

LeBron, Cavs Send Message with 116-86 Pummeling over Celtics

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With their backs against the wall, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals 116-86. Cleveland dominated from start to finish, led by LeBron’s 27 points and 12 assists.

The biggest story in this game was the play from Cleveland’s supporting cast. As the saying goes- role players play better at home. George Hill set the tone early, scoring 11 first quarter points on his way to a 13 point, three rebound game. A total of six Cavaliers scored in double figures. Kevin Love produced 13 points and 14 rebounds. Tristan Thompson was also big on the boards, grabbing seven to go along with ten points. J.R. Smith finally got hot, knocking down three of four three pointers. Kyle Korver added 14 points off the bench.

Cleveland knocked down a staggering 17 threes on 50% shooting. It seemed as if nobody on the team could miss. The Cavs dominated on the boards, ripping down 45 rebounds (eight offensive) to Boston’s 34.

Ty Lue mentioned the team’s increased energy and effort, stating, “We challenged everyone, just to be aggressive and understand the game plan.”

Cavs Bring Back Memories of Last Year

Game 3 way eerily reminiscent of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics simply had no answer for LeBron and could not withstand the constant barrage of threes. Boston settled for too many tough jumpers, shooting an abysmal 39% from the field and 27% from three. The team made as many three pointers in the game (six) as Cleveland had in the first quarter. Carelessness with the ball led to a lot of easy buckets for the Cavs, as Boston turned the ball over 12 times.

Al Horford was asked about what went wrong postgame and he responded, “I can tell you right now off the top of my head there was a lot of breakdown defensively- it’s something we have to address, and be better at on Monday if we want to have any chance of winning.”

Al Horford did not attempt a field goal in the first quarter. He finished the game with seven points and seven rebounds. Terry Rozier chipped in 13 on yet another poor shooting game on the road, going 5-12 from the field. There wasn’t a first quarter breakout from Jaylen Brown this time around, as he was nowhere to be seen in this one. Brown didn’t register his first point until eight minutes left in the 2nd quarter. He ultimately finished with ten for the game.

Resiliency for Boston’s Youth

The one bright spot for Boston in Game 3 was the effort of Jayson Tatum, who refused to give up early on. When nothing was going for the team, Tatum relentlessly attacked the basket, getting to the free throw line repeatedly. He finished the night with a team-leading 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting.

After the game Brad Stevens said about the Celtics, “They always respond. This will be another challenge to respond to.”

The Road Ahead

Cleveland delivered a momentum-changing punch right to the gut of the Celtics. If they intend to steal a game on the road they will need to punch right back in Game 4. The Celtics will need to bring the energy and physicality for Game 4 and play with a much higher sense of urgency. If anything, this game should serve as a wake up call for the team.

Game 4 is set for Monday night at 8:30 pm on ESPN. LeBron and the Cavs will look to tie this series up, as the Celtics hope to head back home with an opportunity to close it out on their home court.

Al Horford: The Celtics’ Pillar of Success

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In a league full of high-flying athletes, dazzling handle displays, flashy passes, and awe inspiring highlight real dunks, it is inevitable that Al Horford would be overlooked.

When people watch the Celtics, they see Kyrie Irving performing magic with the ball. They see Jaylen Brown slam home highlight reel worthy breakaway dunks. Fans might catch a Jayson Tatum finesse move at the rim finished off with a rim-rocking jam. They will also see plenty of big time Terry Rozier three pointers.

What they won’t necessarily see is everything Al Horford does to make these things happen. Fans won’t see Al set a hard screen on Kyrie’s man to give Irving space to make his move. They might miss him ripping down a rebound and heaving an outlet pass to a cutting Brown for a dunk. No one sees him set a pick and pop and run it to perfection, freeing up Tatum for his drive to the rim. They also won’t pay attention to the pass Horford makes out of a double team in the post to set up Rozier for the dagger three pointer.

The Man Behind the Curtain

It is not always what you see on the stat sheet that makes Al Horford special. Make no mistake- Al Horford is the most important player on a Celtics team two wins away from the NBA Finals.

When Gordon Hayward went down early, Horford was there. When Kyrie went down and was announced out for the remainder of the year, Horford was there. In a season full of injuries, on a team with four returning players and a roster full of inexperienced talent, Horford has been the savvy veteran for his teammates to rely on. He has provided the Celtics with a stabilizing force through the turmoil, and kept the motor churning smoothly at the heart of the team’s success.

Boston may not have escaped Milwaukee in the first round if not for Horford’s abuse of the Buck’s smaller defenders. He forced Embiid to the bench in crunch time minutes in the 76ers series. He was too quick to guard outside of the key, and too deadly of a shooter to leave uncontested. His help-side defense on Ben Simmons snuffed out the brightly burning flame that once was the promise of Philadelphia’s season.

The Celtics wouldn’t be up 2-0 on the Cavaliers if Horford didn’t dominate Kevin Love on both ends of the court in Game 1, and follow up the performance by taking over down the stretch in Game 2.

Al is a Leader

One of the things that makes Al Horford unique is his ability to fill whatever roll Brad Stevens asks him to fill. Some nights he might be a role player. He’d willingly take a backseat to the Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum show by setting up screens, making passes, and even running point. Other times he may be asked to be the focal point of the offense. He’d run constant pick and rolls and be fed in the post against undersized and outmatched defenders.

In the playoffs this year Horford has been the team’s veteran leader and star.

Playoff Al

Al Horford is averaging 17.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 57% from the field in 14 playoff games. He has a true shooting percentage of 65.4%, which is up from 57.5% in the regular season. He has been notably more aggressive when attacking the rim, throwing down momentum-shifting dunks and flexing his muscles for the crowd.

The team has taken notice to Horford’s increased production and energy on the court, particularly at the end of games. After Game 2 against Cleveland, Jaylen Brown was asked to comment on Al Horford’s production down the stretch.

“That’s why Al gets paid the big bucks,” Jaylen Brown said. “We lean on Al in those tough moments. And he really went to work. Hitting some big free throws, made some big post-ups, hit the 3. Al, when it gets close to crunch time, we look towards Al to make some big plays.”

Take this play, for example.

This play came right after Horford was intentionally shoved to the ground by J.R. Smith. J.R. was called for a flagrant 1 on the play, sending Horford to the line. Horford went on to make Cleveland continue to pay in the last few minutes to put the game on ice.

The job is not yet finished for Horford and the Celtics. The team is preparing for their next major task: going into Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. The team will look to steal at least one of the two and come back to Boston to close the series out.

Whatever the future has in store for these Celtics as they continue their quest for banner 18, without a doubt Al Horford will be at the heart of it all.

Jayson Tatum Named 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Finalist

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Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum was recently named a finalist for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. He joins Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz in what has been one of the most hotly contested races in recent history.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has his team on the cusp of the NBA Finals. In his rookie campaign, Tatum averages 18.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the playoffs. This postseason, he joined fellow rookie Donovan Mitchell as the only rookies since Julius Erving in 1972 to string together seven straight 20+ point playoff games. Tatum also became the youngest player in NBA history to score 200 points in the playoffs, surpassing Kobe Bryant in the process. If the award included postseason accolades, Jayson Tatum is a shoe-in for the award.

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Playoff performances aside, Jayson Tatum is considered by many to be the most complete player of the 2017 draft class. He showcases his ability to score at ease from all three levels. Tatum broke the Celtics’ rookie record for three pointers made in a season with 105 and scored 43% of those attempts. He possesses a smooth as butter shot and the ability to play staunch man defense on the other end. Tatum can also knock down step back shots, and finish at the rim at an efficient rate. Tatum averaged 13.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists during the regular season.

Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons is the favorite to win the award, as he dominated the league with stellar performances all season long. Simmons averaged 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists (fifth in NBA) and 1.7 steals per game. With 2017’s first pick Markelle Fultz injured on the sidelines, Simmons opened eyes and dropped jaws with his high basketball IQ, stellar passing ability and court awareness, and the ability to finish efficiently at the rim.

As a 6’10” point guard, Simmons’s versatility helped fuel one of the NBA’s top ranked defenses. He was also one of 16 players to get two steals per 100 team plays, and block at least 2% of shots.

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Simmons averaged 16.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists during the postseason. He led the 76ers past a tough Miami Heat team, where he then clashed with fellow rookie Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. Philadelphia was eliminated in five games.

Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell is considered by many as the fan favorite for the Rookie of the Year award. After Gordon Hayward’s departure, the Utah Jazz looked for Mitchell to step up and provide much of the offense this season. Consequently, Mitchell responded impressively, producing 20.5 points (top among rookies), 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Mitchell displayed a unique ability to create his own shot, getting separation between him and his defender with ease as he used his first step quickness. He was also a difference-maker as part of the NBA’s second ranked defense. Coming into the league known more as a defensive player, Mitchell certainly has overall exceeded his potential.

Much like Jayson Tatum, Mitchell raised his game when the lights shined the brightest. He led the Utah Jazz into the playoffs, dropping 24.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He led his team into the Conference Semis, where the Jazz were ousted by the Houston Rockets in five games.

Though it is a regular season award, it is a sign of something special. Watching each of the three candidates battle in the playoffs this young into their careers is great for the NBA.

The Rookie of the Year award winner will be announced June 25th on TNT.

Celtics

LeBron Struck First, but the Celtics Got the Last Laugh

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Grit, determination, and a never quit attitude. Those are traits the Celtics have embodied all season long, and everything the team exemplified in Game 2.  After a hard-fought battle the Boston Celtics pulled away late for a 107-94 victory and a 2-0 series lead. LeBron’s monster game proved not quite enough, as the Celtics attacked the Cavaliers with a huge team effort.

The Cavaliers started the game with revitalized energy after inserting big man Tristan Thompson into the starting lineup in place of Kyle Korver. Thompson did a good job of locking down the pick and roll early on. He managed to disrupt the C’s offensive flow, forcing them into some tough looks.

LeBron James poured in a whopping 21 points in the first quarter, the most points in any quarter in any playoff game of his career. He added four threes on 8-13 shooting, but the rest of the Cavs shot 3-11 for a total of six points in the frame. LeBron finished the night with 42 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Bringing LeBron to a Halt

If it wasn’t for the valiant efforts of Jaylen Brown, the Cavs could have ran away with it early. Jaylen led the charge with 14 points in the first quarter, finishing with a team high 23 to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.

Jayson Tatum picked up where Jaylen left off. He started the second quarter with nine quick points to keep the team afloat as LeBron continued to stay hot. Towards the end of the quarter, LeBron took a hard shot to the jaw and had to leave the floor to get checked out. He was quickly cleared to play and returned before the end of the period. Meanwhile, the Cavs built their lead up to double digits for the first time in the series. Marcus Smart made some big plays with under a minute left in the quarter and the Celtics trimmed the Cavalier lead to seven.

It Takes a Village

Terry Rozier was the hot hand in the third. He overcame a rocky start by producing 14 points on his way to an 18 point and five rebound night. The momentum started to shift in favor of the Celtics, as the team dominated the period in the open floor. They barraged the Cavs with 36 points in the quarter while creating havoc on the defensive side of the ball. Marcus Morris was huge, hitting a tough and one with 5:14 to play in the quarter to tie the game up. He took a moment to wave his hands in the air, gesturing the garden faithful to their feet as the crowd roared with en electric energy.

Less than a minute later Marcus Smart canned a three from the top of the arch to give the Celtics their first lead since 3-2. It became a lead they would not relinquish.

Marcus Smart was absolutely crucial in the second half. He provided an adrenaline shot of energy that infected the whole team. Smart gave the Celtics all the momentum necessary to continue pouring in basket after basket, relentlessly attacking the teeth of the Cavalier defense. He finished with 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds, four steals, and a team high +/- of +21.

Playoff Al

Smart’s efforts must have particularly affected Al Horford. After an eight point and five rebound fourth quarter, Al put the Cavaliers to rest. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the game.

Horford’s biggest moment came with just under four minutes to go. After Al set a pick and rolled for an alley-oop. J,R. Smith gave him a shove in the back on the way up. Consequently, Smith got issued a Flagrant 1 on the play. Horford hit both free throws and on the ensuing possession tacked three more to put the Celtics up 12. All hopes of a comeback were all but over for the Cavs.

It was a team effort fueled victory for the Celtics. Four different players stepped up and led the team in scoring in each quarter for the game. The team also did a great job of handling the ball, giving up only eight turnovers to the Cavaliers’ 15.

The Cavs gave LeBron a bit more help in the game, mostly from fellow All-Star Kevin Love, who produced a 22 point and 15 rebound double double. Tristan Thompson finished with an eight point and seven rebound effort, and Kyle Korver gave the team 11 points off the bench.

A True Competitor

After the game Brad Stevens gushed about Marcus Smart and what he brings to the table for the team. “He’s as tough as they come. A true competitor. He matches his intensity with a physical toughness. We are really glad he is on our team”. Marcus Smart continues to be the hot glue guy for this Celtics team. The Celtics have gone an impressive 8-2 since inserting him back into the lineup. He seems to never fail to make the big plays down the stretch of games, not afraid of any moment and willing to bump and scrape to win every possession. 

Stevens finished his press conference stating that the team will, “have to be tougher and even more resilient as we move to Cleveland”.

History will be on the their side, as the team is 37-0 after leading a best of seven series 2-0.

Game 3 will take place Saturday night at 8:30 pm. The Celtics will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead as LeBron will do anything to claw the Cavaliers back into the series.

How Long Is the Celtics’ Window?

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The Celtics have been rebuilding ever since they traded their big three to the Nets. Danny Ainge has done a great job getting the Celtics back to an elite level. He used the Nets trade to eventually acquire Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving. He also signed big name free agents Al Horford and Gordon Hayward. Brad Stevens has done a great job getting the most out of his players. The Celtics were the number one seed in the East last year, and they are on pace to get a top two seed this year. However, the Celtics are still not close to a championship and the window to win one might be closing. So why is that?

Talent Level on the Team

Even with all the talent they have, the Celtics might not be good enough to beat LeBron James and the Cavs. If they do, then they would have no chance against the superpower Warriors. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward (when healthy) are superstars, and Al Horford is a consistent All-Star. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have developed nicely, but they still are not good enough to win it all. In the NBA, you usually need three superstars to win a championship. The Celtics have two superstars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Al Horford is a great player, but not good enough. The Celtics know this because the last championship they won was with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.

How to Get the Big Three

To fix this problem the Celtics have two options: wait or strike now. The answer might seem obvious, but it’s really not. The Celtics could wait until 19-year-old Jayson Tatum or 21-year-old Jaylen Brown develop into a superstar. The problem with this is that it is no guarantee that both or even one of them develop into a superstar. The Celtics could strike now by trading for another superstar. Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis and Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard have been rumored to be on the trade block. To do this, the Celtics would most likely have to give up Tatum or Brown, Terry Rozier, and picks, or something along those lines. The problem is if Davis or Leonard flail out in Boston, while Tatum or Brown develop into superstars on another team. Personally, I would go with the strike now option. It is better to get a known commodity than a player you hope develops into a superstar. Danny Ainge has proven that he is willing to take risks, and he will take these risks to maximize the Celtics’ window.

Competition Around the League

The Cavaliers and Warriors have been the finals matchup for three straight years. LeBron James has been the main reason as to why the Cavs have been to the finals. He is a free agent this summer and is expected to leave. If he does, then the Cavs will rebuild. The Celtics should easily win the East because they are better than secondary teams like the Raptors, Wizards, and Bucks. In the West, the Warriors have been the powerhouse. It is going to be very hard to match them on a talent level, but the Celtics could do it if they make the right moves. Kevin Durant is a free agent this offseason, and he will most likely resign but anything could happen. If he leaves, then the Warriors will become much weaker. Klay Thompson is also a free agent this summer, and his departure would damage the Warriors.

So How Long Is the Window?

I would say the window for the Celtics to win a championship is three years. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are free agents after the 2019-2020 season. Assuming the puzzle pieces fall in the wrong place for other teams, then the Celtics should win the championship as soon as next year. If the Warriors lose Klay Thompson and the Celtics add Anthony Davis, then the talent gap from the Warriors to the Celtics will be much closer.

 

Cover image courtesy of NBA.com.

Celtics’ Youth on Fire: Can They Sustain the Flame?

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We already began to see the emergence of the Celtics’ youth in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown early on this season. Then Rozier and Smart added some fuel to the fire, with Rozier carrying it into his three starts at point guard. But during that three-game span without Irving and others, the young Celtics really got a chance to show everyone what they could do.

Banged Up and Short-handed

The Celtics had to go three games without some key players:

  • Kyrie Irving sat out all three games with a sore quad; he probably could have played against the Trailblazers but with Toronto right after, pretty sure the plan was to conserve energy.
  • Marcus Smart continues to sit out with a self-inflicted hand injury. I heard the stitches are out, but they are being cautious.
  • Marcus Morris had a nasty fall against the Knicks. He missed the next two games with a sore hip.
  • Shane Larkin sat out with a sore knee and wasn’t available for the Hawks and Trailblazer games.

Although they only had to face the Knicks, Hawks and Trailblazers, the Cs had fans worried about how the games would play out.

Developing Celtics’ Youth: How are They Doing It?

Time and time again, the Cs youth had been inconsistent with their efforts on both sides of the ball. But this time, they proved that they can hold their own. They went 3-0 in those games, and here’s my take on how: 

  • building up minutes : It used to frustrate me that coach didn’t play the young guys more, but now I’m seeing the bigger picture. I’ve compared it to teaching someone how to ride a bike. The minimal minutes to start out are the training wheels — but Brad Stevens has finally removed them. The guys are adapting to the pace, gaining more awareness and building confidence —10-20 minutes at a time.
  • coaching : Stevens is so good at helping his guys utilize their strengths. Nader and Ojeleye can knock down the perimeter shots when encouraged; Theis can get the basket if he’s fed the ball in the paint; Tatum is encouraged to use his length and athleticism not just on offense, but on defense as well. Brad’s expectations for his guys are realistic, which takes the pressure off. A lot of rookies in the league don’t have that luxury.
  • leadership/confidence : the youth on this team knows how fortunate they are to be able to play with (young) vets like Irving and Horford. They also know how fortunate they are to play for Brad, who is quite young and probably easier to communicate with. But in general, having the supportive foundation that they have really helps. If you watch, you can see that these guys play hard for each other. The trust and confidence they have in one another makes it easier to handle business on the court. Why do you think they’re still rated #1 in defensive efficiency?

Other people may have more technical explanations for this emergence of the Celtics’ youth. But really, sometimes it’s just that simple.

 

Cover image courtesy of MassLive.com

Irving, Celtics End Four-Game Skid

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Finally! Although it’s only been one game, the Celtics are back to winning. That heartbreaking one-point loss was the kick they needed to come back to the Staples Center and take care of business. They were able to top the Clippers 113-102, leaving a lot of Celtics fans breathing a bit easier.

Contributions from Everyone

When I say this was a good game for almost everyone on the team, I mean it. But hey, if you don’t believe me just look at the stats:

  • Kyrie Irving- 20 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast
  • Jayson Tatum- 18 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast
  • Aron Baynes- 12 pts, 6-8 FG, 6 reb
  • Marcus Morris- 15 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast
  • Bench- 39 pts,17 reb, 10 ast

Jaylen Brown had a rough shooting night, but he was able to contribute in other ways. It was an important win for the Cs, especially since they were missing Horford and Smart. To be honest, going into this match-up without those two had me worried. But once again this team has proven to be resilient.

How Did the Celtics Win This Game?

Now, if you look at the team stats, it could cause a bit of confusion. The Celtics lost the rebound battle, points in the paint, points off turnovers; just to name a few. But, they made up for it by winning in:

  • 3-PT %: they were 14-40 from behind the arc while the Clippers were 5-21. I swear LA only began hitting them when it didn’t matter anymore.
  • FT %: after only getting ten free throws against the Lakers, they were more aggressive and forced twenty-two attempts against the Clippers. Oh yeah, and they only missed one, while the Clips were 27-39.
  • Steal: ten steals to the Clips’ six. Not a huge difference but it gave the Cs more possessions.
  • Turnovers: I know I already said they lost the battle of points off turnovers. But if you notice, the Cs had thirteen turnovers and only gave up sixteen points off of them. That’s pretty good. But overall the Clippers turned the ball over more, which gave the Cs more possessions.

The Road Ahead

The Celtics have two more games on this road trip before heading home. Next, they head to the Bay to face the Golden State Warriors. This is a top team in the west that they’ve already beaten in Boston, holding them well under 100 points. After, they head to Denver to take on the Nuggets, another team they’ve already beaten at home. The Warriors have the best record in the league, but the way they lost to Houston has everyone shook. The Nuggets are only one game over .500 and are 2-3 in their last five. Can the Cs dig deep enough to take another win from both teams?

Tune in for ABC’s Saturday Primetime to watch the Boston take on Golden State. And don’t forget to watch them play the Nuggets on NBATV on Monday!

Boston Celtics: The New Favorites?

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From Ashes to New

The Boston Celtics have overcome adversity with great defense and rebounding. Is this enough for them to be called title contenders?

Just five minutes into the season, All-Star Gordon Hayward went down with a potential season ending injury. The Boston Celtics fought hard against the Cavs in their first game but lost by three. Then they lost the subsequent game to the Milwaukee Bucks. It looked like it was going to be a long season, then something sparked. The team didn’t lose another game after that until November 20th.

As the Celtics went on a sixteen game win streak, their notable weaknesses from last season withered away. Rebounding and defense. As last season limped to an end, centers Al Horford and Amir Johnson were struggling to grab more than six boards a game. It feels like Hayward’s injury forced the team to mesh together quickly. There are only four players from last year’s squad in addition to all these new guys that have helped the Celtics grow stronger. They are playing younger and quicker basketball.

Before the season started, the Celtics were tied for the third best chance to make an appearance in the Finals along with the San Antonio Spurs at 12/1. Since then they have fluctuated, but the odds have gone towards their favor at 10/1. You can follow along with the Celtics odds, as well as betting on the team here.

The Competition

Per usual the Western Conference appears stacked this season. The Golden State Warriors have some competition with the Houston Rockets and potentially the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs might be able to make their usual run as long as the injury bug leaves them alone in the second half of the season. The Eastern Conference looks like a dog fight for second place. For the first time in almost a decade LeBron James’s team is closer to ninth place than first. The Cavs are currently third in the East but are riding six games behind first place. They are also ranked almost last in defense efficiency at twenty-eighth. No team has made the playoffs with a ranking as poor as that.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern Conference is shaping up to be as expected. Teams like Toronto, Washington, and Milwaukee are all within contention of making playoffs. Adversely basement dwellers like New York, Chicago, and Brooklyn are not surprising anyone.

With the All-Star break and trade deadline quickly approaching the Celtics have room to improve. With the disabled player exception under Danny Ainge’s belt this team has options. They could trade for a player or sit comfortably until the buyout deadline. No matter what moves are or aren’t made, this team is a favorite to win the 2018 NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum Wins Eastern Conference Rookie of Month for December

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NOT A TRADE CHIP, A BUILDING BLOCK

When I was 19, I was just trying to figure out how to pay rent and tuition. At the same age, Jayson Tatum is proving he can play at a high level in the NBA despite still being in his teens. Plus, I can only assume has no problems paying bills on time. It’s easy to see Tatum is light years ahead of his peers, but hard to imagine what his ceiling might be.

“I don’t think water will find its level because I don’t think there’s a level with Tatum, because he’s so young. I think he’s untouchable. He has the potential, from what we’ve seen … to be a multi-time All Star in this league.” -Mike Gorman, Boston Celtics Broadcaster (reeling Tommy Heinsohn back in for over 30 years)

STRONG ROOKIE CLASS

Ben Simmons is better than anyone in this class right now, but he’s not exactly in this class. It’s almost a shame he’s considered a rookie. It’s robbing us of what is probably going to be an incredible race for second in the ROY running. This is a strong rookie class, with some guys showing star potential. Lottery picks like Donovan Mitchell, Lauri Markkanen, Dennis Smith Jr. and Tatum are showing the future of the league is in good hands. Others further down the draft board such as Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Bell & Dillon Brooks are a testament to the depth of the class. Plenty of other rookies are getting opportunities and showing signs of being contributors early in their careers.

Even without Simmons in the mix, Tatum would have a tough time winning the award. This is a strong class with the unique blend of depth to compliment the heavy hitters at the top. Donovan Mitchell has already had a 41 point game, something that hasn’t been done by a rookie since Blake Griffin in 2011. He was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for December. Tatum winning the same award in the East over Simmons shows the race for ROY isn’t over yet.

At the end of the day, Tatum just doesn’t have a big enough role offensively to win the award. While it is increasing by the game, he won’t come close to the usage rate of Simmons (23.9) or Mitchell (27.6). Tatum is sitting at 17.7, but is also chipping in 4.9 win shares through 42 games, good for 13th in the entire NBA. This is where you can start to see the difference in Tatum and rookies on teams that aren’t winning. He is learning how to win from guys that have done it early in his career. This is something that can’t be overstated for his development. The sky really is the limit with this kid.

TAKING IT IN STRIDE

Stevens trusts Tatum despite his teenager status. Further, he wants the youngster in the game late, especially if it’s close. Some might say Stevens leaves him in so he can learn and get better. It’s also because he is one of the best options Stevens has at his disposal. The rookie has shown the ability to make the right play, and is starting to find his spots to be aggressive offensively. This has resulted in some big-time finishes at the rim in addition to his elite shooting from deep. He has been in the top 10 in 3pt% the entire season thus far. If Stevens is serious about upping Tatum’s touches in the second half of the season, teams could be in trouble. His efficiency might take a hit, but his overall production should be on the rise.

CLUTCH TIME

Tatum has been impressive late in games, and definitely has the clutch gene. His calm and collected approach towards life is unwavering in heated moments on the big stage. It’s rare for a rookie to have such a big role, especially in the 4th quarter on a talent-rich team. More impressively, his clutch time numbers are truly jaw-dropping. He has 45 points on 71% shooting in the last 5 min when the game is within 5.

“Some people have it and some people don’t. It’s just as simple as that. I think he’s pretty much shown that he can play, as people say, with the big boys at the end of the game.”       -Kyrie on Tatum in the clutch

Further, he’s 3/4 in the last minute when the game is on the line. When the game gets hectic, it slows down for Tatum. Nothing seems to shake his confidence. After his recent Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award, Stevens did his part to keep Tatum level-headed, not that he needed it.

“I sent him a text that there’s a lot of things that can derail forward progress.” -Stevens, when asked about Tatum’s achievement

WORK IN PROGRESS, BUT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Danny Ainge traded the #1 pick in the 2017 NBA draft fro the #3 pick and a future pick. After selecting Tatum 3rd overall, he stated he would’ve taken the Duke product at 1 if he didn’t make the deal. It was a risk, but he got his man. Still, the rookie has gone above and beyond what Ainge thought he was capable of already in his young career.

“We’ll see what minutes [Tatum] will earn. I’m not worried about how they will play when the lights go on. It will be unlikely that Jayson is Rookie of the Year because it will probably come from a team that starts their rookies and plays them 35 minutes a night.” -Danny Ainge, before the season started

A guy who should be a sophomore in college right now is instead beating out NBA vets for starting roles on the NBA’s best team. This wasn’t supposed to happen. He is already able to impact the game on both ends of the floor, and is contributing to winning on the highest level. Yet, he still has a long ways to go. What is sure to be a long and achievement-filled career has only just begun. The Tatum hype train, now far past Boston and still gaining steam, is running out of room for passengers.

“It will be four, five, six years before we see his best,” Ainge said. “The question will be how badly he wants to keep working to get better.”

LeBron Knows the Answer to the Big Question About Kyrie

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“…I don’t have any advice for him now. I got no advice for him or any other people that’s on any other team. Noooo.. Listen man we trying to win a championship here, I don’t have time to give advice to other guys…”

LeBron seemed sincere in his opening press conference for the season, and it’s a fair point to not want to help players that aren’t helping you win a championship. The thing is, LeBron has been giving advice to all kinds of young players in a very public manner after games. We saw it with Lonzo Ball. The very next game against the Jazz we saw him and Dwayne Wade pull another rookie, Donovan Mitchell, aside and give him a short lecture. You might remember last year when he did the same thing with a rookie Jaylen Brown.

So, why does he have nothing left for Kyrie?

KYRIE IS READY

The answer is simple: he knows Kyrie is ready to win without him. He’s already given his former protegé more than he would like the leader of a serious contender to have. Kyrie is no wide-eyed rookie. Still, LeBron has established himself as a “big brother” of sorts for young players around the league. The two have built a bond together. Now, he doesn’t have anything left to say to Kyrie. He can act like it’s everyone, but it’s not. It’s just guys he sees as a threat to his legacy, and that list now includes Kyrie Irving. His explanation of why he has nothing left for Kyrie seems inaccurate and pointed. If you ask me, he is legitimately worried about Irving and the Boston Celtics.

“…The only thing I’m upset about is he took a lot of the DNA and the blueprint to Boston.”

LeBron has been to 7 straight NBA Finals. He knows what it takes to get there. He also knows Kyrie Irving knows what it takes to get there. Kyrie Irving is ready to be the #1 guy. LeBron may have been ready to give him the keys, as he said in his preseason interview. But Kyrie was tired of riding in the backseat. So he went out and found himself his own car. One that he could drive. And one that has yet to reach its top speed.

KYRIE VS LEBRON ON THE BIG STAGE

The Celtics are still a work in progress. They have cooled off a bit since their 16 game win streak at the beginning of the season, but they are still an obvious force. Even without Hayward, the general consensus is that there will be an Eastern Conference Finals rematch between the Cavs and Celtics. The biggest difference this time around would be the size of the storylines.

Kyrie will be trying to put the last stamp of approval needed to validate his move to Boston. Maybe more accurately, out of Cleveland. It would be truly epic to see Kyrie take down LeBron and end his Finals reign. Instead of LeBron handing Kyrie the keys, Kyrie will be looking to take them from him, head to head. We could see these teams clash in the playoffs for years to come. It seems inevitable the Celtics take the crown and reach the Finals.

THE MAKINGS OF A TRUE RIVALRY

For Celtics fans, perhaps watching Isaiah Thomas try to exact revenge on his old team and new rival will be the hardest thing to watch. It is tough not to root for this guy. It is tough to realize he could be heavily responsible for ending the Celtics’ season.

It would also be the 2nd year in the row the two play in the ECF, and could mark the start of a true rivalry. The Celtics are getting better every year and will soon be the favorites in the East. But until somebody knocks him off, LeBron holds the key to the Finals. As long as he is in Cleveland, they will be a force in the playoffs.

Eventually, there will be a team that comes along and beats LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Most would agree that team will most likely be the Boston Celtics. Even if LeBron isn’t willing to give Kyrie any more advice. Kyrie has everything he needs to succeed. Who knows, maybe we’ll see LeBron give the rookie Jayson Tatum some love Wednesday after the game. Or, maybe he’ll see him as a member of a team that is a serious threat to his championship aspirations and stay far, far away.