Tatum needs to step up...

[Roy H.]

He's been missing a ton of layups and easy bunnies which is infuriating. If he simply hit those in addition to everything else he'd easily be averaging 28+ PPG. There's still time but it's got to happen soon.

Anyone remember that scene in Batman Begins where Alfred tells Bruce, "what was the point of all those pushups if you can't even lift a bloody log". Likewise, if you're Tatum why build all that muscle and get stronger if you're only going to hunt for fouls and flail your arms near the rim constantly. Just go up strong, aggressive, and ATTACK. Enough about the refs, just focus on making the shot. It's even more infuriating when he's doing it against their guards. Tatum should easily be dominating their smaller guards on offense

I'm glad Ime called him out on it after Game 4.

Also, there's been moments Curry has been screwed on foul calls this series too. But he still puts his head down and performs. Tatum needs to do the same

I'd love to see Tatum spend his summer watching tape of Paul Pierce.  That wouldn't help a lot with the whining to the refs thing, but it would shot him how to drive effectively while getting to the line.

[Redz]

He's been missing a ton of layups and easy bunnies which is infuriating. If he simply hit those in addition to everything else he'd easily be averaging 28+ PPG. There's still time but it's got to happen soon.

Anyone remember that scene in Batman Begins where Alfred tells Bruce, "what was the point of all those pushups if you can't even lift a bloody log". Likewise, if you're Tatum why build all that muscle and get stronger if you're only going to hunt for fouls and flail your arms near the rim constantly. Just go up strong, aggressive, and ATTACK. Enough about the refs, just focus on making the shot. It's even more infuriating when he's doing it against their guards. Tatum should easily be dominating their smaller guards on offense

I'm glad Ime called him out on it after Game 4.

Also, there's been moments Curry has been screwed on foul calls this series too. But he still puts his head down and performs. Tatum needs to do the same

There was one in particular in game 4 where I felt like he could have easily just dunked over the the defender.  I think he gets caught up in his footwork so much that by the time he gets around to the shot he’s in a bit of panic mode.  The euro step works for him sometimes, so it seems like even when he has a direct line to the hoop his muscle memory starts to go for a euro step, when his brain kicks in and says nope go straight, but he’s already sort of zig-zagging.  Then once he sorts all that out he’s at the hoop and the shot comes out rushed or haphazardly. 

Of course, I’m not in his brain so who knows.  He’s at his best when he’s not overthinking, just attacking or passing or shooting in the flow.

[jpotter33]

Ime claimed he’s doing more foul hunting than actually trying to score, which I think is a big part of it. GS doesn’t have good enough interior D to think that they’re causing most of this poor shooting down low.

I also find it interesting that Tatum is averaging double the amount of assists as Steph. He’s at least doing a good job of getting others involved, but he absolutely does have to do more of his own scoring and make the easier ones given him.

[libermaniac]

I pretty much agree with what people are saying in this thread with one important distinction. I wouldn’t say Tatum NEEDS to improve for the Cs to win this series. We’ve proven we can win tough games with him playing just like he has. However, if he does have a great game, WE WILL WIN. On the other hand, if Curry doesn’t continue to have great games, the Warriors cannot win. We are the deeper team and it’s showing by the tied series despite the difference in superstar play.

[Roy H.]

I pretty much agree with what people are saying in this thread with one important distinction. I wouldn’t say Tatum NEEDS to improve for the Cs to win this series. We’ve proven we can win tough games with him playing just like he has. However, if he does have a great game, WE WILL WIN. On the other hand, if Curry doesn’t continue to have great games, the Warriors cannot win. We are the deeper team and it’s showing by the tied series despite the difference in superstar play.

There are circumstances where we can win without a good Tatum, but I have a hard time seeing that happen if we're dealing with Nuclear Curry at the same time.  To win we need Tatum to heat up, or Curry to cool down in my opinion.  I guess the third scenario is that Jaylen steps up and takes the superstar reigns from Tatum, but even then he'll need help.

[cman88]

We need game 6 Milwaukee Tatum. With our season on the line he went out and got 46 points.

It's going to be tough to win the finals if your #1 player is shooting 34%

[Dchuck]

Part of the problem has already been stated by Ime and Tatum.  Instead of going up strong to score like we saw Jimmy Butler do, he goes up to draw a foul.  He goes up so weak like a wet leaf.  To compound the problem he continues to whine and sulk.  It’s an issue with Marcus as well.
Also, he has a “deer in headlights” look too many times when things arent going his way.  Almost as if the moment is too big for him.  All his talk about Kobe/Mamba mentality, his play has proven far from it.

[Rondo9]

Sad to see everyone turning against Tatum. I guess if they lose I’m sure half of your guys will start “trade Tatum” threads. 

[Phantom255x]

There's so much out there about Tatum struggling and the media saying Tatum needs to do more that it'd almost be extremely disappointing if he didn't have a great night tonight

[Kernewek]

There's so much out there about Tatum struggling and the media saying Tatum needs to do more that it'd almost be extremely disappointing if he didn't have a great night tonight

I haven't seen this much pressure on a player under the age of 25 in the Finals since LeBron's first run with Cleveland. Hopefully he has a game for the ages at some point before the end of the series, but if not, he's still just a kid.

[Roy H.]

Sad to see everyone turning against Tatum. I guess if they lose I’m sure half of your guys will start “trade Tatum” threads. 

Is anybody really turning against Tatum?

[Goldstar88]

Sad to see everyone turning against Tatum. I guess if they lose I’m sure half of your guys will start “trade Tatum” threads. 

Is anybody really turning against Tatum?

I don’t think they are turning against him, but the level of scrutiny is a bit much. One of my friends was saying yesterday that “If Tatum is a superstar, he can’t have off nights.” Which is completely unfair as all players have off games during the course of a season/post season. People were acting like he had a triple single last game as well.

[Roy H.]

Sad to see everyone turning against Tatum. I guess if they lose I’m sure half of your guys will start “trade Tatum” threads. 

Is anybody really turning against Tatum?

I don’t think they are turning against him, but the level of scrutiny is a bit much. One of my friends was saying yesterday that “If Tatum is a superstar, he can’t have off nights.” Which is completely unfair as all players have off games during the course of a season/post season. People were acting like he had a triple single last game as well.

He can definitely have off nights.  But, it’s a bit rougher when he’s averaging 27% shooting from inside the arc.  He knows he needs to do much better.

[Silas]

Someone on this thread already stated this but it deserves to be repeated: Tatum needs to keep his head up when he drives to the basket and attempt to make the shot, not attempt to get fouled.  I'm expecting a big game from him tonight.  I hope he has listened to Ime. 

[gouki88]

30 point game incoming