I'm kind of disappointed in Tatum as a scorer

[keevsnick]

I'm beginning to think the handle is a swing skill for wings. Jaylen improves massively and he looks great, Wiggins gets better and he looks great. Tatum certainly has the skills that would make you think he can get there.

[Spicoli]

Honestly i'm not too worried about his handles. It's his ability to finish at the rim that i want to see improvement on. He misses too many point blank wide open layups.

[tenn_smoothie]

I believe Jayson Tatum was negatively effected by last season's problems more than any other Celtic. Playing with Irving left him confused about how to play offensively and with badly damaged confidence. Irving's apparent harsh comments to his teammates during games were taken to heart by such a young player with a game based on a high skill level and finesse. I would say he is still playing his way back to form and that it will take awhile, maybe even a season, to rehabilitate his confidence and instinct for the game. Fortunately, this team's best years are in front of it and they have the time to let Tatum find his way back - I would say, then - watch out !!!!

I thought it before the season and I believe it even more now - this group, with a couple of additions and the normal improvement of their young players is looking at multiple titles during the next decade as Kemba and Hayward play at a high level into their 30's and the young stars come into their prime and this crop of rookies grow into important role players that contribute to winning.  It's a good time to be a Celtic fan.

[cman88]

its early in the season and I think history tells you his stats will revert back to the median. take this for example.

through 11 games, Tatum is shooting 38.7 percent on shots within five feet of the rim. He’s shooting 33.3 percent on layups. Last year those numbers were 61.3 percent and 51.3 percent

If he hits those numbers, his scoring and shooting % jump.

In comparison, Jaylen was shooting well below his average 3pt% now after last nights game he is back to his norm.

[Somebody]

I'm really not sure on how to rate Tatum. While I certainly think that he's a good player (he's a borderline All-Star already imo), I think his tunnel vision and questionable decision making on offense cap his offensive ceiling, and his defense is suspect at times (not the best man defender due to average foot speed, and sometimes gambles too much on passing lanes). Right now I'd rate his best case offensive scenario to an offensive anchor like a very poor man's Dirk, and his defensive upside as an average man defender who can be feisty at times with good team defense. It's a good ceiling to have, but it's kind of a disappointment from what he showed us in his rookie season, I honestly thought that he had the potential to be a top 25 player of all time. I just hope that he can take a page out of Kawhi's book and add something to his game every year (Kawhi added a resilient scoring arsenal over the years before his title run with Toronto, and added a passing game this year with the Clippers) so we can have that shiny franchise cornerstone. Obviously we have Brown, but hey the more the merrier eh?

[dannyboy35]

  I have concerns with Tatum but with good leadership is think he’d be ok. Right now, when healthy I’m of the opinion Hayward and Kemba are clearly our best two players. After that it’s also clear to me Brown is next. I think it was close last year with Brown being a much better defender. I think Jaylen accepted his role after he was benched and was a willing passer but didn’t quite have the handle to really consistently make many good ones.
  Tatum ( to me) is still playing like he’s entitled to so many shots and role on this team. I’d love if the shots were flip flopped with Briwn right now. He just makes better plays. He doesn’t get himself into trouble like Tatum can and halt the ball movement while he still dances with the ball some. I think there’s a small improvement with cutting this down but with Jaylen’s improvement we don’t need some of these shots.
  I like Tatum’s off ball d. I think he’s improved at this. He can be clever in the passing lanes. So overall I don’t think this SHOULD be a concern. But (IMO) it requires the coaching staff to reign him in a lot. He’s so young. Jaylen has had another year. No rush. Work on his handle in the off season and he’ll be a scary offensive player. Until then I really wish Jaylen was prioritized.

[keevsnick]

its early in the season and I think history tells you his stats will revert back to the median. take this for example.

through 11 games, Tatum is shooting 38.7 percent on shots within five feet of the rim. He’s shooting 33.3 percent on layups. Last year those numbers were 61.3 percent and 51.3 percent

If he hits those numbers, his scoring and shooting % jump.

In comparison, Jaylen was shooting well below his average 3pt% now after last nights game he is back to his norm.

Ya about those percentages the thing is when somebody takes a massive leap in frequency of a shot attempt you there is some concern that you'll see the overall success rate drop because in general they are now taking shots that they are probably less comfortable with then they were before. I think what we are seeing is part of Tatums natural progression, he is now operating a little outside his comfort zone. He may struggle with it for a while, but long term its better for him.

[Somebody]

its early in the season and I think history tells you his stats will revert back to the median. take this for example.

through 11 games, Tatum is shooting 38.7 percent on shots within five feet of the rim. He’s shooting 33.3 percent on layups. Last year those numbers were 61.3 percent and 51.3 percent

If he hits those numbers, his scoring and shooting % jump.

In comparison, Jaylen was shooting well below his average 3pt% now after last nights game he is back to his norm.

Ya about those percentages the thing is when somebody takes a massive leap in frequency of a shot attempt you there is some concern that you'll see the overall success rate drop because in general they are now taking shots that they are probably less comfortable with then they were before. I think what we are seeing is part of Tatums natural progression, he is now operating a little outside his comfort zone. He may struggle with it for a while, but long term its better for him.

Agreed, but it seems like he's really unaccustomed to such a role. I think he's incredibly skilled, but he's really not utilising the entire toolbox on offense, eg. he opts to idly dribble on the perimeter and isolate instead of taking it to the hole or taking an open three off the dribble, misses passes because he's busy sizing up his man/attacking, pump fakes threes even when he can simply catch and shoot, etc. It's just a combination of all of these things that makes me iffy on his development rn. Obviously we can afford him to go through these growing pains, but they're looking pretty ugly lol.

[Celtics4ever]

It's just a combination of all of these things that makes me iffy on his development rn. Obviously we can afford him to go through these growing pains, but they're looking pretty ugly lol.

The Funny is most GM's think he is our guy with the highest potential,  so your worry about him being iffy is not something that should worry anyone.

[Somebody]

It's just a combination of all of these things that makes me iffy on his development rn. Obviously we can afford him to go through these growing pains, but they're looking pretty ugly lol.

The Funny is most GM's think he is our guy with the highest potential,  so your worry about him being iffy is not something that should worry anyone.

The funny thing is that I said "his development right now" instead of disagreeing with what most GMs are saying, so what I said is only worrying you

[ViolentGhandi]

Tatum will come around. He is still forcing things instead of letting the game come to him. All that dribbling he does just to end up with a difficult shot and those drives into a heavily crowded paint resulting in low efficency attemps. The Ball moves this year... he will have opportunities enough to score. He should be more selective with his actions. Let JB and KW do the driving - they are both impressiv doing that and also both willing passers. He should let them attract the D and profit from that with open looks and open lanes to the basket.

Especially on his dribble drives often look rushed. He pushes up random floaters then following his own shot knowing it will not go in anyway - that way he is close to tipping in around two of his own shots per game. Most of the time he tries to zickzack and squese thru towards the basket avoiding all contact if possible while giving up balance and position. I don'T know if he is physikly not jet up to it or doesnt like the contact. With his skillset he should do what JB does - attack right into the D - force them to foul. JB has really mastered that. He eighter outright beats his defender to the basket or goes right into and over him by sheer power or with help of some headfakes and the like.

As it is now if I was BS I would allways run a play for JB at the end of games when behind. He will score and stop the clock by getting fouled. Good thing there isnt much need to think about stuff like that. Even with GH out the C's have enough able scorer outscore other teams down the stretch. Anyways.... I think at some point JT will overcome his mental issues (I think that is what this is). I mean he shouldnt be under great pressure as things are goining well for the team, his boxscore is 20+ ppg which isnt too shaby, so he should really enjoy himself and just settle down. 

[nickagneta]

I'm really not sure on how to rate Tatum. While I certainly think that he's a good player (he's a borderline All-Star already imo), I think his tunnel vision and questionable decision making on offense cap his offensive ceiling,

Do you know how many of Brown's detractors said these same words about him his first 3 years in the league. Tatum is 21. He has a load of potential and is a smart kid. Might be too early to be definitive about his ceiling.

[footey]

Tatum generally is making better decisions on offense. He needs to learn from Brown to slow things down a bit, get under more control, and his finishing rate will improve in paint. His defense has really improved from last season.

Very pleased overall with his progress.

[dannyboy35]

  Once Tatum has his head up with feeling more secure in his handle I think e sry tho h comes together. He’ll have that one more dribble to get all the way to the hoop, have more control to initiate contact and simply make the quick right pass just in general. It’s back breaking work to improve your handle a lot. Not fun in my opinion, but I think it’s everything for Tatum.