Tatum’s Finals Performance

[C3LTSF4N]

Lebron in 07: 22 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 6 turnovers per game 32-90 FGs (35.5%), 4-20 from 3 (20%), 69% FT

Kobe in 00: 15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 33-90 FGs (36.6%), 2-10 from 3 (20%), 91% FT

Larry in 81: 15.7 ppg, 15.7rpg (lol), 7apg, 3 turnovers per game, 39-93 FGs (41.9%), 1-3 from 3 (33%), 81% FT

Isiah Thomas in 88: 19.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 9 apg, 3.7 turnovers per game, 49-115 (42.6%), FGs, 5-17 from 3 (29.4%), 83% FT

Dirk in 06: 22.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41-105 FGs (39%), 6-24 from 3 (25%), 89% FT

Moses in 81: 22.3 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 48-119 FGs (40%), 69% FT

Tatum in 22: 21.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 7 assists, 4 turnovers per game 44-120 FGs (36.7%), 20-44 from 3 (45.4%), 65% FTs

I’m sure I could find more examples, but the point is that several genuine superstars of the NBA have floundered in their first Finals appearance. Guys like Dirk & Moses were both 25 or older too. I’m pretty sure it worked out in the end for those guys.

Puts things into perspective, I guess is it what it is.  The Warriors defense and Tatum’s first finals did what it does to young players.  I still wonder if the injuries caused a lot of it but I’m sure we’ll hear about it eventually if they did.

[86MaxwellSmart]

Tatum just ran out of gas in the end...he had Zero Bench help. Also, he played Team USA, a full NBA season-and this was the longest playoff run he ever had---People need to give him a break.

[86MaxwellSmart]

I was wondering that too. He didn't seem to have the same explosiveness at the rim that he did earlier in the playoffs after suffering that stinger. I don't want to make excuses for him though. Definitely the Warriors were throwing a lot of different looks at him. He's shooting fine from 3 but terrible from 2, particularly in the paint.

If people watched very closely, you could see all The Warriors "Defenders" use their off hand to hold down their opponents when they jump---the refs just look at the hand trying to block the shots...I think Tatum and Brown got really frustrated with the lack of calls.

[LilRip]

Most turnovers in NBA playoffs history
Lowest 2pt fg% in NBA finals history

It obviously wasn’t a great performance for our young superstar. He’s the reason we were in the finals and much like “live by 3, die by 3”, he was also the reason why we lost the finals. Jaylen Brown was the best player on this team and as good as JB is, he isn’t good enough to lead the team to a finals series win.

Tatum will get better, particularly on the “softer skills” like decision making and using his body better to dislodge guys. I hope he gets a different trainer this offseason (instead of always just Drew Hanlen whose guys really love the stepback jump shot) so he can work on different aspects of his game.

[Big333223]

Lebron in 07: 22 ppg, 7 rpg, 6 apg, 6 turnovers per game 32-90 FGs (35.5%), 4-20 from 3 (20%), 69% FT

Kobe in 00: 15.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 33-90 FGs (36.6%), 2-10 from 3 (20%), 91% FT

Larry in 81: 15.7 ppg, 15.7rpg (lol), 7apg, 3 turnovers per game, 39-93 FGs (41.9%), 1-3 from 3 (33%), 81% FT

Isiah Thomas in 88: 19.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 9 apg, 3.7 turnovers per game, 49-115 (42.6%), FGs, 5-17 from 3 (29.4%), 83% FT

Dirk in 06: 22.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41-105 FGs (39%), 6-24 from 3 (25%), 89% FT

Moses in 81: 22.3 ppg, 15.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 48-119 FGs (40%), 69% FT

Tatum in 22: 21.5 ppg, 7 rpg, 7 assists, 4 turnovers per game 44-120 FGs (36.7%), 20-44 from 3 (45.4%), 65% FTs

I’m sure I could find more examples, but the point is that several genuine superstars of the NBA have floundered in their first Finals appearance. Guys like Dirk & Moses were both 25 or older too. I’m pretty sure it worked out in the end for those guys.

TP

I'm looking forward to see how this team (and Tatum, particularly) responds next season.