Tatum’s False Idol

[Ed Monix]

It is my opinion that Jayson Tatum has chosen poorly by modelling his playing style on Kobe Bryant.

I want to preface my thoughts by saying, this has nothing to do with Kobe Bryant’s personal life, it’s my assessment of his playing style only.

Firstly, Bryant was 6’5 (on a good day) and was rather lean coming in to the NBA. It only makes sense that he built his offensive game on angles and passive counter moves. Tatum on the other hand, has very broad shoulders and walked into his rookie season at 6’7 and has grown close to 6’9.

Tatum seems to have developed a passive style of play which is counterproductive for someone of his height, frame and wingspan. IMO this shying from contact, mid-range habits, all stem from his mimicking of Bryant’s moves.

What I do find puzzling is Tatum’s averse commitment to defence. Bryant was a monster on the defensive end, something that was extremely important for the Lakers three-peat in the 2000’s…so why doesn’t Tatum strive to become an all-defensive player? My only theory is that Tatum grew up watching 2010’s Kobe, when he stopped caring about defensive intensity and had Ron Artest & Andrew Bynum to do his dirty work.

I do wonder if Tatum’s off-season weight training has affected his shooting stroke. If this is true, it was a completely pointless endeavour because despite the added bulk, Tatum’s play continues to be passive, perhaps an unbreakable habit picked up in his youth watching Kobe Bryant.

[86MaxwellSmart]

He should play more like Magic Johnson

[pokeKingCurtis]

He should play more like Magic Johnson

Man would that be amazing...

Maybe not in his DNA but could you imagine...

Guess that's what makes Ben Simmons a star, he plays like Johnson lite.

[Ed Monix]

He should play more like Magic Johnson

Perhaps, but IMO he should be playing like Giannis, but with more three point shooting.

Giannis is always attacking, he doesn’t give a [dang] about contact. When you watch Giannis, he maximizes his advantages (length & frame). Tatum does the opposite, he behaves like a guard.

[Celtics2021]

Oh good, another “Here’s what’s wrong with Tatum” opinion thread.

[Ed Monix]

Oh good, another “Here’s what’s wrong with Tatum” opinion thread.

Oh good, a critical, sarcastic comment that adds nothing to the thread.

I have no issue if you disagree with my opinion, just show your work…otherwise why even comment?

[PhoSita]

Kobe got to the free throw line

A version of Kobe who is worse at passing and doesn't get to the line 8-10 times a game ...is a mediocre scorer.

[Atzar]

I've always felt like the Kobe comparison was a shaky one for Tatum.  I get that Tatum has stated that Kobe is his idol... but I really don't think they play all that similarly. 

Kobe was a better athlete and was more dangerous going to the rim.  He was more explosive (particularly early in his career) and could live at the line in a way that Tatum cannot.  Tatum doesn't have that same burst and quickness.  On the other hand, Tatum (this season aside) is a better, more prolific three-point shooter than Kobe ever was. 

Offensively, Tatum is more reminiscent of prime Melo or Pierce to me, but with a more modern three-point-oriented game.  Slow and methodical, good footwork, loves his sidesteps and stepbacks.  Kobe certainly had that in his arsenal, particularly as he got older, but that's not really what I remember him for. 

Also, Tatum is not a poor defender.  He has generally been a good defender over the course of his career, with the exception of last season when the entire team quit playing defense.  Kobe was a better on-ball defender because of his superior quickness, but Tatum is a good off-ball defender and uses his length well to generate deflections. 

[Ed Monix]

Kobe got to the free throw line

A version of Kobe who is worse at passing and doesn't get to the line 8-10 times a game ...is a mediocre scorer.

Very true, Bryant studied defenders habits and used that to get them reaching in and drawing shooting contact.

[Ed Monix]

I've always felt like the Kobe comparison was a shaky one for Tatum.  I get that Tatum has stated that Kobe is his idol... but I really don't think they play all that similarly. 

Kobe was a better athlete and was more dangerous going to the rim.  He was more explosive (particularly early in his career) and could live at the line in a way that Tatum cannot.  Tatum doesn't have that same burst and quickness.  On the other hand, Tatum (this season aside) is a better, more prolific three-point shooter than Kobe ever was. 

Offensively, Tatum is more reminiscent of prime Melo or Pierce to me, but with a more modern three-point-oriented game.  Slow and methodical, good footwork, loves his sidesteps and stepbacks.  Kobe certainly had that in his arsenal, particularly as he got older, but that's not really what I remember him for. 

Also, Tatum is not a poor defender.  He has generally been a good defender over the course of his career, with the exception of last season when the entire team quit playing defense.  Kobe was a better on-ball defender because of his superior quickness, but Tatum is a good off-ball defender and uses his length well to generate deflections.

Sorry I didn’t mean Tatum’s a poor defender, I said he had an adverse commitment to defending. Tatum is a good defender (when he’s locked in) what I’m saying is he should be great. Tatum doesn’t seem to strive to be a top two way play, is what I was trying to say.

I think you’re spot on for the Melo/Pierce comparison for Tatum. I again was trying to articulate that Tatum wants to be Kobe Bryant, and that he’s not playing to his offensive strengths, which is his height and length.

[mr. dee]

His dad told him to mold his game after Pierce. He's not listening to his dad.

[Atzar]

I've always felt like the Kobe comparison was a shaky one for Tatum.  I get that Tatum has stated that Kobe is his idol... but I really don't think they play all that similarly. 

Kobe was a better athlete and was more dangerous going to the rim.  He was more explosive (particularly early in his career) and could live at the line in a way that Tatum cannot.  Tatum doesn't have that same burst and quickness.  On the other hand, Tatum (this season aside) is a better, more prolific three-point shooter than Kobe ever was. 

Offensively, Tatum is more reminiscent of prime Melo or Pierce to me, but with a more modern three-point-oriented game.  Slow and methodical, good footwork, loves his sidesteps and stepbacks.  Kobe certainly had that in his arsenal, particularly as he got older, but that's not really what I remember him for. 

Also, Tatum is not a poor defender.  He has generally been a good defender over the course of his career, with the exception of last season when the entire team quit playing defense.  Kobe was a better on-ball defender because of his superior quickness, but Tatum is a good off-ball defender and uses his length well to generate deflections.

Sorry I didn’t mean Tatum’s a poor defender, I said he had an adverse commitment to defending. Tatum is a good defender (when he’s locked in) what I’m saying is he should be great. Tatum doesn’t seem to strive to be a top two way play, is what I was trying to say.

I think you’re spot on for the Melo/Pierce comparison for Tatum. I again was trying to articulate that Tatum wants to be Kobe Bryant, and that he’s not playing to his offensive strengths, which is his height and length.

I think he plays to his strengths a lot... just probably not in the way you want to see. 

You want him to body people more on drives to the rim.  I get that, and I don't entirely disagree (though it's easier said than done - Tatum's tendency to slow down and let the defense set means that he's almost always facing a ton of traffic in the paint, and his handle isn't quite good enough to navigate that mess consistently without a ton of turnovers).  But that stepback jumpshot is his go-to weapon specifically BECAUSE of his height and length.  Almost nobody can bother that high release. 

I think you're underestimating Giannis's physical tools, by the way.  Giannis is bigger and a significantly better athlete, with a first step that just doesn't make sense on a guy with his frame.  Tatum can't just bulldoze the paint like he does.  Nobody can, with the exception of prime Lebron. 

[Csfan1984]

He will get back his shot. Still needs better shooters around him to bring up ast. He also has to keep getting to the line 7+ times a game. If he gets that he could get into the top ten players conversation.

[pokeKingCurtis]

He will get back his shot. Still needs better shooters around him to bring up ast. He also has to keep getting to the line 7+ times a game. If he gets that he could get into the top ten players conversation.

Good point on the potential assists. Ridiculous how many good looks are missed from JB and JT in some of these games this year.

But I suppose no better way to sharpen their passing knives than by having Schroeder and Smart clank some open looks. Once we get some real shooters...it'll be easy...

[Csfan1984]

He will get back his shot. Still needs better shooters around him to bring up ast. He also has to keep getting to the line 7+ times a game. If he gets that he could get into the top ten players conversation.

Good point on the potential assists. Ridiculous how many good looks are missed from JB and JT in some of these games this year.

But I suppose no better way to sharpen their passing knives than by having Schroeder and Smart clank some open looks. Once we get some real shooters...it'll be easy...

After Tatum's last poor game I did a comparison with other top players on good teams. Tatum is right there with them, the team itself is the issue. Like right now everyone loves Stephen but he too has had some bad nights this year. It's happening to everyone this year.

Really feels like early 00's basketball not just the physical play but teams keep shooting threes regardless of really bad shooting nights.