Is Tatum Better Than Leonard?

[gouki88]

I think it’s a bit premature considering Kawhi has proven time and again to lift his game in the playoffs, leading to two Finals MVP’s and two titles.

However, I haven’t watched the game yet. When I do I’ll probably revisit this thread and hail JT as the second coming

[ozgod]

I think it’s a bit premature considering Kawhi has proven time and again to lift his game in the playoffs, leading to two Finals MVP’s and two titles.

However, I haven’t watched the game yet. When I do I’ll probably revisit this thread and hail JT as the second coming

We were all excited after the win

[vjcsmoke]

Calm down a minute.

However it was highly encouraging to see Tatum raise the level of his game against one of the best teams in the West.

So the Celtics have now beat both the Lakers and the Clippers.  Wow, they really can play against and beat anyone when they are at the top of their game.

I can see this team getting to the Finals if everything falls in place and we can stay healthy.

[gouki88]

I think it’s a bit premature considering Kawhi has proven time and again to lift his game in the playoffs, leading to two Finals MVP’s and two titles.

However, I haven’t watched the game yet. When I do I’ll probably revisit this thread and hail JT as the second coming

We were all excited after the win

I totally get it. Just finished the game, and wow! Tatum & Hayward were awesome in the last OT!

[RockinRyA]

Calm down a minute.

However it was highly encouraging to see Tatum raise the level of his game against one of the best teams in the West.

So the Celtics have now beat both the Lakers and the Clippers.  Wow, they really can play against and beat anyone when they are at the top of their game.

I can see this team getting to the Finals if everything falls in place and we can stay healthy.

If Im not mistaken, the only playoff teams we havent beaten yet are the Rockets and Jazz (which we havent played yet)

[gouki88]

Calm down a minute.

However it was highly encouraging to see Tatum raise the level of his game against one of the best teams in the West.

So the Celtics have now beat both the Lakers and the Clippers.  Wow, they really can play against and beat anyone when they are at the top of their game.

I can see this team getting to the Finals if everything falls in place and we can stay healthy.

If Im not mistaken, the only playoff teams we havent beaten yet are the Rockets and Jazz (which we havent played yet)

Not bad at all. Especially considering we most likely won't face either of those teams in the playoffs (don't see either of those teams coming out of the West).

[MichiganAdam]

Calm down a minute.

However it was highly encouraging to see Tatum raise the level of his game against one of the best teams in the West.

So the Celtics have now beat both the Lakers and the Clippers.  Wow, they really can play against and beat anyone when they are at the top of their game.

I can see this team getting to the Finals if everything falls in place and we can stay healthy.

And the C's were without Brown and Williams versus the clippers without BEverly and part of the game for George.  I think Tatum played VERY well on both ends.  I look forward to him getting stronger, more aggressive to the rim, and maybe just a tinge more court aware(more assists) that the greats have.  After that he just needs time to show that his recent consistent play is the new norm and not a blip.  He certainly has been tough and durable.

[RockinRyA]

Calm down a minute.

However it was highly encouraging to see Tatum raise the level of his game against one of the best teams in the West.

So the Celtics have now beat both the Lakers and the Clippers.  Wow, they really can play against and beat anyone when they are at the top of their game.

I can see this team getting to the Finals if everything falls in place and we can stay healthy.

And the C's were without Brown and Williams versus the clippers without BEverly and part of the game for George.  I think Tatum played VERY well on both ends.  I look forward to him getting stronger, more aggressive to the rim, and maybe just a tinge more court aware(more assists) that the greats have.  After that he just needs time to show that his recent consistent play is the new norm and not a blip.  He certainly has been tough and durable.

Kanter was hobbled for much of it as well.

[Phantom255x]

I love Tatum, and he outplayed Leonard yesterday.

But seriously? Leonard IMO is still the best player in the entire league and we've seen what a beast he can be in the playoffs. Lets calm down a little.

[ETNCeltics]

From ESPN article this morning:

Tatum checked every box in this one. Durability? In a double-overtime game, he played more minutes than anyone on the court. Efficient scoring? He finished the game 14-for-23 from the field, including 5-for-10 from 3-point range. Drawing fouls? He finished the game with 10 free throw attempts, tying his career high (and also showing the one blemish on his performance, as he made only six of them).

And defensively? All Tatum did was hold Clippers star Kawhi Leonard to 3-for-11 shooting when he was guarding him -- including 1-for-7 from the field in the fourth quarter and the two overtime periods, according to Second Spectrum's player tracking data.

[Spilling Green Dye]

It looks like I missed a fun game and awesome performance by Tatum, so I looked at the box score like I used to as a kid in the late 80's and early 90's. 

Marcus Smart shot 14 3-pointers?  That right there is why I barely watch the NBA anymore. 

[RockinRyA]

It looks like I missed a fun game and awesome performance by Tatum, so I looked at the box score like I used to as a kid in the late 80's and early 90's. 

Marcus Smart shot 14 3-pointers?  That right there is why I barely watch the NBA anymore.

Its a double overtime game though.

[slamtheking]

It looks like I missed a fun game and awesome performance by Tatum, so I looked at the box score like I used to as a kid in the late 80's and early 90's. 

Marcus Smart shot 14 3-pointers?  That right there is why I barely watch the NBA anymore. 

you must be thinking late 70's and early 80's because the late 80's and early 90's were dominated by rock-throwing festivals caused by the physical D popularized by the Detroit Bad Boys and Knicks team at that time.

[ETNCeltics]

Tatum had a monster game against LAC last time we played them, too.

One thing that's a positive and a negative....he is playing his way onto the all-nba team. He'll be supermax eligible on his extension if he does, no?

[celts55]

Better than Leonard is quite a stretch. Leonard is one of the top 5 players in the league.

Tatum has great potential and maybe one day will be in the same ballpark as Leonard, but certainly not yet.

Plus, got to hit those free throws in overtime, and go to the rim on that last play in the first OT.
A step back 3? Jeez!