The shine is off of Tatum

[keevsnick]

He's taken 61 shots. He's scored 61 points. Thats not great. But to my eye he's been more aggressive taking it to the rim, and I do think  as long as he does that the shots will start falling. I like the rebounding as well.

[Somebody]

I rewatched the next three quarters and I have to say that Tatum cleaned up his game quite a bit after that iffy first quarter, he made some nice passes that he was missing as well as not taking crazy floaters from the elbow or FT line. I'm okay with his performances so far, but I'm quite concerned with his decision making and strength (he really needs a bit more muscle to start moving bodies out of the way when he attacks the paint, 15-20 pounds of extra muscle would do wonders for him).

Again, he's just 21 years old.

Only 21 years old and he's already this good?

Tatum is one of those who scores with ease.

It won't be long before he makes All-NBA Team.

Where is that type of optimism for Jaylen Brown lol

[trickybilly]

Ive been vocal on the need to trade one of Jaylen, Gordy, or Tatum. Buy I must say these last two games have given me a glimmer of hope they can coexist successfully.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Ive been vocal on the need to trade one of Jaylen, Gordy, or Tatum. Buy I must say these last two games have given me a glimmer of hope they can coexist successfully.

Those guys all look good together, but I think Walker, Smart, and G Williams deserve a ton of credit for being the connective tissue between them.

[Green-18]

Ive been vocal on the need to trade one of Jaylen, Gordy, or Tatum. Buy I must say these last two games have given me a glimmer of hope they can coexist successfully.

The younger bench helps immensely in this regard.  For the first time we are going to see each of our wings play 35+ MPG on a consistent basis.  There's so much more opportunity for them to play through rough stretches without the need to press. 

We also can't discount the potential impact of Kemba.  It's a breath of fresh air to watch his interactions with teammates and post-game comments.  So far it feels like everyone is fully invested in each others success.

[Who]

He's taken 61 shots. He's scored 61 points. Thats not great. But to my eye he's been more aggressive taking it to the rim, and I do think  as long as he does that the shots will start falling. I like the rebounding as well.

61 shots 61 points.

I was curious how many FTs he had gotten.

Only 12. Not good.

[Big333223]

I'm very optimistic about Tatum but through the first 3 games, now, the FTA's are still a worry. He should be getting to the line at least 6-7 times a game, not 4. Yes, it's early and yes it's a small sample size but his FTA's per FGA are down this year from last.

The best players in the league know how to hunt contact to put pressure on defenses. There's still plenty of time but Tatum isn't showing me he gets that yet.

[Green-18]

He's taken 61 shots. He's scored 61 points. Thats not great. But to my eye he's been more aggressive taking it to the rim, and I do think  as long as he does that the shots will start falling. I like the rebounding as well.

61 shots 61 points.

I was curious how many FTs he had gotten.

Only 12. Not good.

Yeah, he still loses the ball way too much when attacking the basket and shows zero comfort with the left hand.  At this stage Tatum is best suited for quick drives off the catch, particularly when he has a favorable angle towards the hoop.  I prefer him to move the ball when there's too much traffic. 

On the bright side his three point shooting has been really good on high volume (minus the two wide open corner threes last night).

[Green-18]

I'm very optimistic about Tatum but through the first 3 games, now, the FTA's are still a worry. He should be getting to the line at least 6-7 times a game, not 4. Yes, it's early and yes it's a small sample size but his FTA's per FGA are down this year from last.

The best players in the league know how to hunt contact to put pressure on defenses. There's still plenty of time but Tatum isn't showing me he gets that yet.

Part of the problem is that his ball handling isn't strong enough in traffic.  It would also be nice to some improvement using the left hand to finish.

[action781]

I think he's still trying to get comfortable with the new "fewer long 2s, more drives and 3s" mentality.  You can see him be a little hesitant during games with that but make the right decision (sometimes just to pass).  I think he'll get more efficient as it becomes more natural for him and he doesn't have to be so consciously aware of what he's trying to do.

[Big333223]

I'm very optimistic about Tatum but through the first 3 games, now, the FTA's are still a worry. He should be getting to the line at least 6-7 times a game, not 4. Yes, it's early and yes it's a small sample size but his FTA's per FGA are down this year from last.

The best players in the league know how to hunt contact to put pressure on defenses. There's still plenty of time but Tatum isn't showing me he gets that yet.

Part of the problem is that his ball handling isn't strong enough in traffic.  It would also be nice to some improvement using the left hand to finish.

For all the consternation about Jaylen's ballhandling for the last 3 years, is Jayson's that looks like it could use some tightening. Jayson is undoubtedly better with the ball. The control he has is insane and he's able to pull off incredible moves. But the ball also just feels like it's always a little higher than it needs to be, exposing it in traffic.

I don't know. I'm nitpicking now. But I agree with what you're saying and agree that if he were protecting the ball a little more, some of these turnovers would become fouls as guys swipe at the ball or he's able to get all the way to the rim.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yeah...well thats fine

Edwards and Brown are shining loke newly polished diamonds .

[cman88]

I think he's still trying to get comfortable with the new "fewer long 2s, more drives and 3s" mentality.  You can see him be a little hesitant during games with that but make the right decision (sometimes just to pass).  I think he'll get more efficient as it becomes more natural for him and he doesn't have to be so consciously aware of what he's trying to do.

yeah this. I think hes trying to change old habits and sometimes that takes a little bit. its something his trainer worked with him this summer on. I forget the number, but his trainer stressed that if Tatum got to the line by going to the paint x number of times a game and shot x number of 3's a game at his normal clip rather than shooting the long 2 pointers he would average 20ppg just by taking more efficient shots.

[Sophomore]

I think the problem with his finishing is he’s rushing and trying to beat his man to the rim without drawing any contact. Compare the way Jaylen, Hayward, or evening Smart approach their drives. There’s a lot more measuring the man and where help is coming, so they can decide whether to pass, pause and fake, put a shoulder into a man to create space before finishing. Tatum is trying to glide fast and beat the second-line defender, ends up with some really tough finishes. Game has to slow down for him more. Think he’ll get there but it may be another year.

[Kuberski33]

Ive been vocal on the need to trade one of Jaylen, Gordy, or Tatum. Buy I must say these last two games have given me a glimmer of hope they can coexist successfully.

Put me in this this group too.  And I hammered Tatum in the game thread opening night. But he has played within the team concept the past two games - both of which have been nice wins. He also is still trying to get to the basket so there's been nothing to complain about.  He's played well.