I'm kind of disappointed in Tatum as a scorer

[CelticsElite]

This is my reasoning for tatums struggles: kobe.  The younger a player is, the more impressionable they are. Imagine his idol kobe speaking to him. "shoot the ball more. If you miss it doesn't matter, eventually it'll go in. You don't have to pass the ball"

Kobe got his development off course a bit


I think he will bounce back

[DrinkinCelticKool-Aid]

Jason Tatum. The player that sucks so bad he has two threads expanding on how bad he sucks!!!
I hope they trade him by Friday. That guy is the worst. Actually he has a cold right now,  so maybe they can trade him sooner so he doesn't infect anyone with his sucky germs too. 

[tazzmaniac]

It really depends on your definition of Super Star.  I think you have to be a consistent top 10 player to be considered a super star.  I don't think Tatum will ever reach that level.  He can become a lower level star. 

[PhoSita]

A single game isn't definitive proof of anything.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

You must not remember some of Pierce's games. Like one against the bulls in 03-04 where he got 4-6-1-2 on 1/6 shooting with 6 turnovers, or one against Miami in 10-11 where he got 1-5-3-1 on 0-10 shooting with 3 turnovers.

Or Iverson's game against Miami in 96-97 where he got 8-2-6-2 on 2-17 shooting with 6 turnovers. Or in 97-98 against Detroit where he got 7-3-9-2 on 2-17 shooting with 2 turnovers. Or in 98-99 against the Nets where he got 6-7-3-1 on 2-17 shooting with 4 turnovers.

Or George against Charlotte in 13-14 where he got 2-7-1-1 on 0-9 shooting with 5 turnovers in his 4th year. Or against the Spurs in 15-16 where he got 7-6-7-2 on 1-14 shooting with 6 turnovers.

A random game in November will not determine Tatum's fate as a superstar.

[bcgenuis]

It really depends on your definition of Super Star.  I think you have to be a consistent top 10 player to be considered a super star.  I don't think Tatum will ever reach that level.  He can become a lower level star.

I agree he can be a star, 3rd team NBA. Even average 20 ppg.  But many here see him as the next coming.  I do not.

Does that mean he should be traded. Not necessarily. Just reset expectations.

[PhoSita]

I'll take our 3rd year player "slumping" to 19.7ppg and 7.7rebs on 39% shooting any day of the week.

The 39% shooting is cause for worry, but generally I agree. I don't think he'll sustain such poor shooting, especially considering it's mostly from inside the arc

If it looked at all like his struggles were a result of increased defensive attention or fatigue from a heavier offensive load, I would be worried.  But I don't think it's that at all.  I am very confident his shooting inside the arc will even out in the long run.

My main concern is his lack of free throws, though I think that's due to the same basic issue as his finishing.  His lack of strength means he avoids contact or doesn't make a convincing enough effort to get the ref to blow the whistle. 

[gouki88]

I'll take our 3rd year player "slumping" to 19.7ppg and 7.7rebs on 39% shooting any day of the week.

The 39% shooting is cause for worry, but generally I agree. I don't think he'll sustain such poor shooting, especially considering it's mostly from inside the arc

If it looked at all like his struggles were a result of increased defensive attention or fatigue from a heavier offensive load, I would be worried.  But I don't think it's that at all.  I am very confident his shooting inside the arc will even out in the long run.

My main concern is his lack of free throws, though I think that's due to the same basic issue as his finishing.  His lack of strength means he avoids contact or doesn't make a convincing enough effort to get the ref to blow the whistle.

Yeah, his driving reminds me in that way of Kyrie - shirking contact. Hopefully Kemba can teach him a few lessons, and JT gets some muscle added. Not expecting him to be a LeBron type truck - but even adding 10lbs would help a lot I suspect.

[footey]

I'm the first to criticize Tatum when I feel it is warranted.

But let's be honest: we are all over-reacting to a poor shooting performance last night. His season for the most part has been quite good. He is rebounding well, defending better multiple positions, and his 3 point shooting has been quite good, and he is making the effort to get to hoop more, although he still struggles finishing.

He is still very young.

Not sure anyone every thought he was destined to be a super star, but man, he still projects to be an awesome player with us for a very long time.

[bcgenuis]

You must not remember some of Pierce's games. Like one against the bulls in 03-04 where he got 4-6-1-2 on 1/6 shooting with 6 turnovers, or one against Miami in 10-11 where he got 1-5-3-1 on 0-10 shooting with 3 turnovers.

Or Iverson's game against Miami in 96-97 where he got 8-2-6-2 on 2-17 shooting with 6 turnovers. Or in 97-98 against Detroit where he got 7-3-9-2 on 2-17 shooting with 2 turnovers. Or in 98-99 against the Nets where he got 6-7-3-1 on 2-17 shooting with 4 turnovers.

Or George against Charlotte in 13-14 where he got 2-7-1-1 on 0-9 shooting with 5 turnovers in his 4th year. Or against the Spurs in 15-16 where he got 7-6-7-2 on 1-14 shooting with 6 turnovers.

A random game in November will not determine Tatum's fate as a superstar.

Using this game as an example of what I have observed over the past 2+ years.  This game had it all.  The driving trunovers. The poor shot selection. The whining and not getting back on defense. Etc.

Do the greats have bad nights.  Sure they do. But so far I have not seen that special night from Tatum - the explosiveness, the F- U!  I am scoring- again and again.   He has tried on many occasions but has not succeeded yet - hopefully he will.  But has not yet shown indications that he can score at will and stick it in the opponents face.  The closest was probably the dunk on LeBron.

[gouki88]

It really depends on your definition of Super Star.  I think you have to be a consistent top 10 player to be considered a super star.  I don't think Tatum will ever reach that level.  He can become a lower level star.

I agree he can be a star, 3rd team NBA. Even average 20 ppg.  But many here see him as the next coming.  I do not.

Does that mean he should be traded. Not necessarily. Just reset expectations.

I mean, he's already averaging 20ppg

[IDreamCeltics]

Eh, he's just a young player still growing into his body and his game.  I also don't think the Celtics offense caters to him at all - he's essentially just another cog "wing" in the offense with no real thought for how to get the best shooter on the team open outside of iso's. 

I think this is pretty consistent with how Brad has approached young players in the past (basically just treating them as JAGs).  I'm guessing based on what we've seen from Jaylen Brown Tatum will have a breakout season next year.

[CelticsPoetry]

Had a bad game so it must mean it's time to trade the player!

Bingo! TP
I bet it was Brad telling him to keep shooting, to keep the defense honest. Sometimes they just dont fall

[Sophomore]

This, right here? This is a hot take.

[CelticsPoetry]

One thing about last night's performance (I even heard some talking heads mention it) - when I checked the boxscore after watching the game, I was absolutely amazed at the 1-18 stat, I had no idea that he took nor missed so many. That means the shots he took werent forced but in the flow of the game and that is perfectly fine in my book. They will start dropping some time, it just wasnt yesterday.