Tatum’s Elite Leap

[RJ87]

The issue is that Tatum is the clear leader of team.  If he starts with the posing and the victory waves to the crowd, the rest of the team will pick up on this.  It is unnecessary distraction that you never saw from the likes of Larry Bird.  Bird would make an out of this world shot and before his feet hit the ground, he was already scheming to steal the ball or make some other defensive play.

You're correct that Larry wasn't like that.

But, there are all types of leadership.  Pierce did stuff like this.  IT4 was the king of it.  And, it lifted the team, as much as Larry's focus and drive did.  It's only a problem if it causes defensive lapses, etc.

I admit there are other forms of leadership and I acknowledge that I sound a bit "get off my lawn" old school, but there is more to this than if there is a recognizable defensive lapse or not.  First, there is no scenario where waving to the crowd or holding a pose after making a shot is going to be a good thing.  It either isn't going to make any difference or it is going to detract in some way.

As to the defensive lapse, yes, an out and out lapse that you can clearly see is going to happen sometimes but there are other times where maybe if Tatum wasn't posing or if someone else wasn't watching him pose, that maybe there is a good play that could have been made that wasn't made.  An opportunity cost of sorts.

There is no reason to defend this.  It is unnecessary.  It will never help, it can only hurt.  I cut Tatum slack in that he is barely 24 years old and already being asked to be a team leader.  But the coach and management should be telling him to work on this just the same as he has been working on passing out of double teams, getting to the line more, and not complaining to the refs so much.  When you are a player at Tatum's level, it all matters.  It is part of how you make others better as the best player on the team.  It is not just about hitting big shots or making a sick pass, it is also about setting the tone that the entire team will pick up on.

I think it's much ado about nothing. Showmanship is a part of today's game, guys pose and mean mug. As Roy mention, Pierce has done it and so has Isaiah.

Tatum is in a no-win situation there. When he's reserved or stoic, fans accuse him of not caring or being passionate. When he's demonstrative, he's a distraction. Can't make everyone happy.

[greg683x]

The issue is that Tatum is the clear leader of team.  If he starts with the posing and the victory waves to the crowd, the rest of the team will pick up on this.  It is unnecessary distraction that you never saw from the likes of Larry Bird.  Bird would make an out of this world shot and before his feet hit the ground, he was already scheming to steal the ball or make some other defensive play.

You're correct that Larry wasn't like that.

But, there are all types of leadership.  Pierce did stuff like this.  IT4 was the king of it.  And, it lifted the team, as much as Larry's focus and drive did.  It's only a problem if it causes defensive lapses, etc.

I admit there are other forms of leadership and I acknowledge that I sound a bit "get off my lawn" old school, but there is more to this than if there is a recognizable defensive lapse or not.  First, there is no scenario where waving to the crowd or holding a pose after making a shot is going to be a good thing.  It either isn't going to make any difference or it is going to detract in some way.

As to the defensive lapse, yes, an out and out lapse that you can clearly see is going to happen sometimes but there are other times where maybe if Tatum wasn't posing or if someone else wasn't watching him pose, that maybe there is a good play that could have been made that wasn't made.  An opportunity cost of sorts.

There is no reason to defend this.  It is unnecessary.  It will never help, it can only hurt.  I cut Tatum slack in that he is barely 24 years old and already being asked to be a team leader.  But the coach and management should be telling him to work on this just the same as he has been working on passing out of double teams, getting to the line more, and not complaining to the refs so much.  When you are a player at Tatum's level, it all matters.  It is part of how you make others better as the best player on the team.  It is not just about hitting big shots or making a sick pass, it is also about setting the tone that the entire team will pick up on.

I’m behind you 100% I just think some battles aren’t worth fighting, especially if it’s not currently causing any problems.  I think most people would prefer their stars to be like how you’re describing, I just think most people have come to accept that’s how stars behave in sports today. 

[Atzar]

The issue is that Tatum is the clear leader of team.  If he starts with the posing and the victory waves to the crowd, the rest of the team will pick up on this.  It is unnecessary distraction that you never saw from the likes of Larry Bird.  Bird would make an out of this world shot and before his feet hit the ground, he was already scheming to steal the ball or make some other defensive play.

Yeah, the team is certainly playing like they're distracted right now. 

Call me crazy, but I think Tatum is setting the tone just fine.  Respectfully, yes, you do sound very "get off my lawn" right now.  Playing like a robot doesn't work for everybody.  Giannis flexes and mean-mugs after dunks.  Curry shimmies after threes.  Lebron, Luka, Trae, Embiid, Durant, Mitchell... all of these guys showboat to the crowd when they're feeling themselves.  I'd have a much harder time making a list of players who DON'T do it.  It's basically Kawhi and that's it.  I don't want these guys to act like they don't have a pulse. 

Look, I'm not advocating for this to turn into the NFL, where tackling a guy for a 15-yard gain is grounds for a professionally-choreographed dance by the entire defense.  Excessive celebration can be... well, excessive.  I just think Tatum blowing kisses to the crowd as he runs back on defense is a long, long, long way away from that. 

[angryguy77]

Didn't Bird play a game left handed once for the heck of it? As long as he's able to back his play up, there's nothing wrong with him adding some personality to the game.......within reason of course.

[Atzar]

Didn't Bird play a game left handed once for the heck of it? As long as he's able to back his play up, there's nothing wrong with him adding some personality to the game.......within reason of course.

In addition to being perhaps the game's most legendary s***-talker of all-time, haha.