Tatum or Brown, who takes the next step?

[gift]

Hmmm. Celtics lose a play making wing in Hayward which will give Brown a lot more on ball opportunities this year. Brown is a 6'6 wing who needs to work on his passing to reach that All-NBA level and maximize teem success. Evan Turner meanwhile was a 6'6 wing who averaged 4.7 assists per 36 minutes in his career and was just hired as as an assistant coach to work on player development. Probably not a coincidence.

Same thing applies to Tatum, even Nesmith/Romeo to some degree.

Yes, there's a huge playmaking hole/opportunity on the wing now. Tatum needs to continue the growth we saw in the bubble. Brown is the best candidate to enter into that secondary role but it's definitely outside of his natural comfort zone. It will help if Nesmith is ready to contribute as a kick out option right away. I'm excited both rookies have the potential to shoot +.400 from three right out of the gate. We'll see if it pans out that way.

[RodyTur10]

I don't know about the next step, but I think Tatum will make the most steps (literally).

Jayson Tatum is a candidate to play the most minutes in the league this season.
Last season he ended 15th in total minutes (regular season), but he missed a couple of games.

I think he'll pass most of the guys in front of him. Portland backcourt Lillard/McCollum played a heck of a lot of minutes, but with their increased depth I expect that to decrease and I also believe Portland doesn't have to push that hard to make the playoffs. The guys who'll be competing with Tatum for most minutes will probably be Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell.

But Tatum is the clear favorite in my opinion. He was the only player in the playoffs able to average over 40 minutes a game. 

[mmmmm]

I don't know about the next step, but I think Tatum will make the most steps (literally).

Jayson Tatum is a candidate to play the most minutes in the league this season.
Last season he ended 15th in total minutes (regular season), but he missed a couple of games.

I think he'll pass most of the guys in front of him. Portland backcourt Lillard/McCollum played a heck of a lot of minutes, but with their increased depth I expect that to decrease and I also believe Portland doesn't have to push that hard to make the playoffs. The guys who'll be competing with Tatum for most minutes will probably be Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell.

But Tatum is the clear favorite in my opinion. He was the only player in the playoffs able to average over 40 minutes a game.

While I agree that the odds are high that Tatum will be one of the leaders in minutes played, personally, I would prefer that not happen.

I'd prefer that others on our roster step up enough that we don't _have_ to play Tatum that many minutes all the time.    Early career minutes do add up long term.   

[GreenCoffeeBean]

The next step is as a passer/facilitator and I think it’s clear Tatum is the next to grow at that. Brown is an elite 3&D and that’s an important piece.

[CFAN38]

Tatum per 36

Playoffs          25.7pts 10rb 5ast
Reg Season    24.6pts 7rb 3ast

Brown per 36

Playoffs       19.8pts 7rb 2ast
Reg Season 21.6pts 7rb 2ast


Looking at their playoff stats vs reg season stats I project that Brown has some minor statistical imprisonment but stays around the 22pts 7rb 2ast he averaged last season. With the absence of Hayward we could see Brown receive a few more shot attempts and jump into the 24ppg range. Tatum I suspect will make another small jump as represented by his playoff stats I would predict a 26pts 8rb 4ast for Tatum. I also think they both make the all star game this season. 

[Birdman]

Tatum can be a top 5 player..Brown, no

[td450]

Interesting that everyone thinks Tatum is better. I think its 50/50 that Brown is considered the better player in the next couple of years.

What is so amazing about these two is how different they are without any visible tension whatsoever. With Hayward gone and Kemba out, there is no one to defer to any more. They can both max out on their growth for the first time. It's going to be a lot of fun seeing them fill out their games

[michigan adam]

I think Tatum is the better player, but not by a huge amount currently.  What he is that Brown isn't as much is what I would call the alpha player.  Brown plays like a perfect #2.  Think Pipen.  Tatum is a Jordan type player.  Pipen was all NBA 1st or 2nd team many times( I didn't look it up), and a top 25+/- of all time player, but he was still #2 to Jordan.  Jordan wouldn't have been jordan without Pipen.  Brown is the same.  Tatum has a few areas he can and hopefully will improve, passing, defense, strength, finishing/drawing fouls.  I think assists will be up 2/game this year with his improvement and loss of hayward.  He will slowly get stronger, draw more fouls and improve his defense each of the next few years

[Darth_Yoda]

I think Brown has the most room to improve more.

Tatum went for 27, 10 and 5 in the playoffs. How much more can a player give honestly.
Looking at incremental improvements for Tatum, fewer turnovers, more decisiveness and effectiveness in the clutch.

Brown has alot of room to improve as a facilitator and can still improve his efficiency.

[michigan adam]

I hoping for 27 10, and 6 for tatum for the year...That is MVP conversation, especially if his defense continues its incremental improvement.

[Rikibellevie]

Now it is 100% their team, so I guess they will both take the next step at the same time. But they are not int the same walking line. Next year I expect also Tatum being in MVP conversation (we may not be ranked good enough) and finish at least in NBA second team, maybe with MIP (so probably in first NBA if so). He showed begening of maturity in his mind and maturation in his unlimited offensive game. More assists, more penetration, more scoring...
JB will I guess show he is the perfect lieutenant or 1B option, with his combination of hard working on and off court-improving playmaking-first NBA defensive team- and reach his all star game (with absence of Kemba).

I love this guys, smart also, I love this moment where I wait to see the entrance in their prime. With the Davis trade failed last year and our bad FA and Tradefor star experience, I am so happy we give evtgh to this guyand that we build a goodsupporting cast around them.It will be fun years, hoppefully.

[#1P4P]

Both.

Tatum’s next step is 2nd Team All-NBA. Tatum, without Hayward and Kemba, is going to have another increase in touches. His assists are going to increase as his playmaking responsibility increase and opposing defenses narrow on him. His efficiency might decrease, but his production will increase. I can see Tatum putting up averages of 27/8/4 this year, which would definitely make him a top 4 Forward in the league.

Brown’s next step is All Star/3rd Team All-NBA. Brown, without Hayward and Kemba (early in the season), is hopefully going to be allowed to play on the wing instead of stuck in the corners for offensive possessions. If Brad allows him to be a playmaker, he can be a 25 PPG scorer instead of topped out at 22 PPG in his current role. If he’s stuck in the corner, he’s going to need media help to get the respect he deserves ala Klay because he will be stuck at 20-22 PPG, which will be a borderline AS.

[gouki88]

I hoping for 27 10, and 6 for tatum for the year...That is MVP conversation, especially if his defense continues its incremental improvement.

Larry Bird numbers might be asking for a bit much