Has Tatum elevated into top 10 player in the NBA status?

[GreenlyGreeny]

At 24 to have as many 50 point games and as many 60 point games as Larry Bird is astounding.

It really is. I think Pierce hit 50 only one time in 19 seasons. I also feel like Tatum gets little to no credit for his defensive ability. He’s the 3rd best defensive player on the team and can guard the 1-4. At times, I think he’s more effective than Smart due to his height, length and athleticism.

To be fair to Pierce, during Pierce's solo prime, the whole league was putting up a lot fewer points, team's were averaging 95ppg.  In Bird's time, and right now with Tatum the league average is about 110ppg.

Pierce had a lot of 40+ point games that might have been 50+ in a different era.

Let's use this time to recognize Pierce scoring 45 in a game the Celtics won 77-58. 

Yeah, not sure I buy that..So obviously some of these guys are all time greats, but Pierce is a HOFer himself.

Players in Pierces era that scored 50 or more points several times:

Kobe- 25 times
AI- 11 times
T-Mac- 4 times
Jamaal Crawford- 4 times
Gilbert Arenas- 3 times
Shaq- 3 times
David Robinson- 3 times

There are quite a few that have done it twice and numerous players have done it once, including Tony Delk.

Tatum is on another level as a scorer, IMO. I think he’s as good if not a better defender than Pierce already due to height, length and superior athleticism.

To be clear I'm not arguing Pierce is as good of a scorer or player as Tatum, but I just don't want to short change the man due to his era.

From '99-'07, the pre-Big 3 Pierce career.  There were 28 players who scored 50+ in the regular season 69 times.  That's over 706 possible games available for players.   That's 8 full seasons + a lockout 50.

From '18-now for Tatum's tenure, 36 players have score 50+ points 83 times, but only over ~374 games.  That's 2 full seasons + 2 Covid reduced seasons + this partial season.  More players, more 50 point games, in about half the games.  How do you explain that?

Steph Curry changed the game forever. When he’s done, the logo should become him shooting a three.