Just as an FYI, Nate Duncan and the other guy listed Tatum in tier 4 (or about 8th) best small forward. I think the lesson learned here is that Celtic fan is getting just a little bit overboard about Tatum.
https://podbay.fm/podcast/986901174/e/1582866000
I've noticed Duncan is always a bit negative on the Celtics. He consistently devotes less time talking about the Cs, and it is always with a resigned sigh when they are doing well. I respect their insight and it didn't used to bother me a lot, but the consistency with which Duncan disregards the Cs success has been enough for me to stop listening to them after several years of consistent listening.
Leonard and James are clearly better than Tatum (even though Tatum completely outplayed Leonard in the recent game). He's pretty clearly in the Middleton, Siakim, Butler, George (this year) tier. Doncic is better, if you count him as a small forward.
I definitely think you could argue that Tatum's last 23 games are better than any 23 games stretch from Middleton, Siakim, Butler, or George. If this is for real, and it has been real for over 1/4 of a season, then Tatum is the best overall player (scorer/shot creator/defender) of the bunch.
I think the hype is a little high for a couple of reasons. First, Tatum is unsustainably hot right now. Now, if he can sustain it, then superstar for sure. But I can’t blame observers from questioning whether he can.
Second, Tatum is a much better scorer than playmaker. He still doesn’t make other ms better, and that should not be ignored. We’ll see how that evolves over time.
As for Duncan, he’s not a shock guy like Wright. He’s much more objective, though he can certainly be wrong. Thinking that he’s biased is likely more to do with fan bias than his.
I know what Duncan is about. But his fan bias does seep through quite a bit.
Tatum is shooting 43% the last 23 games, which is right where he was shooting for his full rookie season. He's been hot the last 10 or so, but over the last 23, he's also getting to the free throw line more and generally scoring at a more efficient rate.
When he cools down, he will still be getting 26-28 a night.
He's also averaging 3 assists a game. That's not a lot and he has to keep taking steps forward as a facilitator, but that's pretty good.
On top of that, he's playing high level defense, averaging a block and over a steal a game while playing everyone from guards to forwards.
A 28-7-3-1-1 guy who is helping his team win like Tatum is a top 5 wing for sure. That's where Tatum is at. Plus, he can go toe-to-toe with the best wings in the NBA and win the matchup. Just ask Leonard and James.