Tatum ball stopping ways is not healthy basketball

[Tr1boy]

This is not to hate on our young star but he is slowly turning into Carmelo Anthony before our eyes.  It is worrisome

At times we need him to go off. Because nobody else seems like they can buy a shot.  But tonight, clearly was not the night to force it.  Icing on the cake was the final shot... I mean what was that?

There was a cool stretch in the 2nd where he scored 8 out of 12 points.   Love it

But in the 2nd half, he was ball stopping and mesmerized with his handles?  that either led to a low quality shot or getting ball stripped

This is on Brad/coaches to identify this habit

[Somebody]

Blasphemy! He hasn't hit his prime yet, we need to keep on feeding him these shots! Look at what OKC did with Durant!

[Tr1boy]

I don't like the language on Tatum/Brown contracts

There is no team condition. Basically if you individually achieve xyz = more money

[gouki88]

I dunno about ball-stopping ways, he’s developed his passing to a solid level this year. We just have no discipline to end games

[footey]

Who needs ball stopping Harden, we already have him, LOL.

[Tr1boy]

I dunno about ball-stopping ways, he’s developed his passing to a solid level this year. We just have no discipline to end games

He passes in the 1st quarter. Maybe a few times in the second

And then barely passes it in the 2nd half

Since last season. 

He literally channels his inner Kobe

[BringToughnessBack]

22 and surely Tatum has peaked..wow...JT, my advice is dont resign when contract is up and better yet, demand a trade. Toxic is a culture that our city is proud to continue. We will belittle you when you are down and than cry when you leave and become a champion

How did Lebron and Durant become great when they were 22? Hint..it was by being allowed to take pressure shots in pressure situations without half the fan base wanting their heads..

Maybe we are just not the right environment for a generational player to succeed in . 

[Tr1boy]

Who needs ball stopping Harden, we already have him, LOL.

If the Celts had Harden and Tatum.  The other player should carry those portable chairs with them.

[Indocelts]

I think we need to start keeping track of Tatum's last shot FG% to see if he can handle this. 

Personally, i don't like he shoot a 3 while we're down by 1. 

[jambr380]

I agree with the title - Tatum's style of play is concerning. He is playing with a level of entitlement that usually doesn't come until you reach ~30. Unfortunately, he also has no idea that when your team is down by 1, you only need 2 to win. This is his go-to going back to the MIA series.

Obviously the sky is the limit for the kid, but he is just too afraid to get his hands dirty. I really hope he can become a lot more mentally tough.

[gouki88]

Who needs ball stopping Harden, we already have him, LOL.

Harden, the guy who has an MVP and has a claim to two more? I wish we had someone that talented

[GreenWarrior]

I don't see it changing under stevens. His creativity when it comes to offense is "go small" and shoot a bunch of 3's this way when we miss nobody can get a rebound.

[Somebody]

22 and surely Tatum has peaked..wow...JT, my advice is dont resign when contract is up and better yet, demand a trade. Toxic is a culture that our city is proud to continue. We will belittle you when you are down and than cry when you leave and become a champion

How did Lebron and Durant become great when they were 22? Hint..it was by being allowed to take pressure shots in pressure situations without half the fan base wanting their heads..

Maybe we are just not the right environment for a generational player to succeed in .

Aaaaaaand there it is! It's like LeBron and Durant weren't MVP level talents at the age of 22 that are far superior to whatever Tatum is right now! It's like they were taking contested stepback threes in crunch time instead of having a balanced attack with drives, jumpshots and foul-drawing moves to consistently generate quality looks!

[Tr1boy]

I agree with the title - Tatum's style of play is concerning. He is playing with a level of entitlement that usually doesn't come until you reach ~30. Unfortunately, he also has no idea that when your team is down by 1, you only need 2 to win. This is his go-to going back to the MIA series.

Obviously the sky is the limit for the kid, but he is just too afraid to get his hands dirty. I really hope he can become a lot more mentally tough.

I think we need to start keeping track of Tatum's last shot FG% to see if he can handle this. 

Personally, i don't like he shoot a 3 while we're down by 1.

exactly... I don't know what he was thinking.  Brad wasn't happy about it also

[wiley]

Well, he does need to find a way to turn the ball over less.  5 to's is too many for my taste...and they were not good ones (mostly over dribbling turnovers in heavy traffic).

He does like to go fancy....he needs to pick his spots very carefully if he's gonna do that....because poorly timed turnovers that lead to fast breaks are a killer.

For example, we closed the third quarter with a very nice run...everyone feeling better.  First play of 4th quarter Tatum goes Harlem Globe Trotters and turns the ball over leading to a fast break...

That was a time to keep the positive team vibe going and try to even it, not to play around...

He needs to learn to probe more and dribble less...Use his eyes more...dribble less..

If he were a short PG no one could take it from him with his good handle....but he's 6'9" or 6'10"...he's playing against NBA players...they're going to take it..