Theory: Tatum wants 10k points this year

[GetLucky]

Here's a theory I've had for awhile now: Tatum really wants to reach 10,000 career regular-season points before the end of the year. He's currently at 9,374 (not sure if this past game was included) with exactly 20 games to go, meaning he'd need to just about maintain his current average and play every game from here on out.

This has been on my radar ever since Booker reached this achievement last season. He was, I believe, the 7th youngest player to do so, mere days behind Giannis. The rest of the list was the usual suspects of "youngest to" record holders, including KD, LeBron, Carmelo, TMac, and, of course, Kobe. I honestly thought Tatum had no shot at getting the record this year, as it would require quite literally the highest per-game scoring average in Celtics history and more ironman durability, but it's now within reach.

I've been keeping this in mind when he stays in to score at the end of games and refuses to take games off. I'm personally rooting for him to reach it, but I hope it doesn't cost the C's in the long run.

[celticsclay]

Here's a theory I've had for awhile now: Tatum really wants to reach 10,000 career regular-season points before the end of the year. He's currently at 9,374 (not sure if this past game was included) with exactly 20 games to go, meaning he'd need to just about maintain his current average and play every game from here on out.

This has been on my radar ever since Booker reached this achievement last season. He was, I believe, the 7th youngest player to do so, mere days behind Giannis. The rest of the list was the usual suspects of "youngest to" record holders, including KD, LeBron, Carmelo, TMac, and, of course, Kobe. I honestly thought Tatum had no shot at getting the record this year, as it would require quite literally the highest per-game scoring average in Celtics history and more ironman durability, but it's now within reach.

I've been keeping this in mind when he stays in to score at the end of games and refuses to take games off. I'm personally rooting for him to reach it, but I hope it doesn't cost the C's in the long run.

I kind of doubt he is even aware of this. Only person that has actively gunned for a point goal in last ten years was Lebron with Kareem’s record.

[celticsclay]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

[GetLucky]

Here's a theory I've had for awhile now: Tatum really wants to reach 10,000 career regular-season points before the end of the year. He's currently at 9,374 (not sure if this past game was included) with exactly 20 games to go, meaning he'd need to just about maintain his current average and play every game from here on out.

This has been on my radar ever since Booker reached this achievement last season. He was, I believe, the 7th youngest player to do so, mere days behind Giannis. The rest of the list was the usual suspects of "youngest to" record holders, including KD, LeBron, Carmelo, TMac, and, of course, Kobe. I honestly thought Tatum had no shot at getting the record this year, as it would require quite literally the highest per-game scoring average in Celtics history and more ironman durability, but it's now within reach.

I've been keeping this in mind when he stays in to score at the end of games and refuses to take games off. I'm personally rooting for him to reach it, but I hope it doesn't cost the C's in the long run.

I kind of doubt he is even aware of this. Only person that has actively gunned for a point goal in last ten years was Lebron with Kareem’s record.

I'd disagree and think Tatum is acutely aware of this. Just last week, his coach played him 35 minutes specifically because he wanted to win the Kobe Bryant All Star Game MVP Award. He also mentioned making a point to go for the points record once he found out he was within reach. He's mentioned a few times this year that he actively goes for 50 points when he's close, and he regularly stays in blowout wins to score a bit more, go for triple doubles, and keep his average up. On the award in a seemingly meaningless chuck-fest, Tatum said the following:

“It means the world,” Tatum said when asked about the significance of beating the record. “You think of all the legends and great players to play in this game and in all honesty, records are meant to be broken,” Tatum said on the TNT broadcast after the game.

Tatum loves the Kobe comparisons. You bet your bottom dollar he wants to be "on pace with Kobe," just like he is in postseason wins and scoring.

[celticsclay]

Here's a theory I've had for awhile now: Tatum really wants to reach 10,000 career regular-season points before the end of the year. He's currently at 9,374 (not sure if this past game was included) with exactly 20 games to go, meaning he'd need to just about maintain his current average and play every game from here on out.

This has been on my radar ever since Booker reached this achievement last season. He was, I believe, the 7th youngest player to do so, mere days behind Giannis. The rest of the list was the usual suspects of "youngest to" record holders, including KD, LeBron, Carmelo, TMac, and, of course, Kobe. I honestly thought Tatum had no shot at getting the record this year, as it would require quite literally the highest per-game scoring average in Celtics history and more ironman durability, but it's now within reach.

I've been keeping this in mind when he stays in to score at the end of games and refuses to take games off. I'm personally rooting for him to reach it, but I hope it doesn't cost the C's in the long run.

I kind of doubt he is even aware of this. Only person that has actively gunned for a point goal in last ten years was Lebron with Kareem’s record.

I'd disagree and think Tatum is acutely aware of this. Just last week, his coach played him 35 minutes specifically because he wanted to win the Kobe Bryant All Star Game MVP Award. He also mentioned making a point to go for the points record once he found out he was within reach. He's mentioned a few times this year that he actively goes for 50 points when he's close, and he regularly stays in blowout wins to score a bit more, go for triple doubles, and keep his average up. On the award in a seemingly meaningless chuck-fest, Tatum said the following:

“It means the world,” Tatum said when asked about the significance of beating the record. “You think of all the legends and great players to play in this game and in all honesty, records are meant to be broken,” Tatum said on the TNT broadcast after the game.

Tatum loves the Kobe comparisons. You bet your bottom dollar he wants to be "on pace with Kobe," just like he is in postseason wins and scoring.

He said he wasn’t even aware of the record till another player told him about in the 4th. I know he looks up to kobe but feels like a real stretch here

[GetLucky]

Here's a theory I've had for awhile now: Tatum really wants to reach 10,000 career regular-season points before the end of the year. He's currently at 9,374 (not sure if this past game was included) with exactly 20 games to go, meaning he'd need to just about maintain his current average and play every game from here on out.

This has been on my radar ever since Booker reached this achievement last season. He was, I believe, the 7th youngest player to do so, mere days behind Giannis. The rest of the list was the usual suspects of "youngest to" record holders, including KD, LeBron, Carmelo, TMac, and, of course, Kobe. I honestly thought Tatum had no shot at getting the record this year, as it would require quite literally the highest per-game scoring average in Celtics history and more ironman durability, but it's now within reach.

I've been keeping this in mind when he stays in to score at the end of games and refuses to take games off. I'm personally rooting for him to reach it, but I hope it doesn't cost the C's in the long run.

I kind of doubt he is even aware of this. Only person that has actively gunned for a point goal in last ten years was Lebron with Kareem’s record.

I'd disagree and think Tatum is acutely aware of this. Just last week, his coach played him 35 minutes specifically because he wanted to win the Kobe Bryant All Star Game MVP Award. He also mentioned making a point to go for the points record once he found out he was within reach. He's mentioned a few times this year that he actively goes for 50 points when he's close, and he regularly stays in blowout wins to score a bit more, go for triple doubles, and keep his average up. On the award in a seemingly meaningless chuck-fest, Tatum said the following:

“It means the world,” Tatum said when asked about the significance of beating the record. “You think of all the legends and great players to play in this game and in all honesty, records are meant to be broken,” Tatum said on the TNT broadcast after the game.

Tatum loves the Kobe comparisons. You bet your bottom dollar he wants to be "on pace with Kobe," just like he is in postseason wins and scoring.

He said he wasn’t even aware of the record till another player told him about in the 4th. I know he looks up to kobe but feels like a real stretch here

Pasted the wrong quote. The scoring record wasn't Kobe's, it was AD's. But Tatum said he's wanted the MVP since 2020 when they renamed it after his self-declared idol:

"It's extremely special for me. My first All-Star Game was in Chicago, in 2020, when they named the MVP after (Bryant)," Tatum told the media.

"I remember telling myself that day that I have to get one of those before I get done. And you know, to be able to wear my signature shoe today, and break the (All-Star Game scoring) record and take home this award named after somebody I idolized . . . it's a hell of a day," he added.

Completely fair if you disagree, but I really doubt we'll see Tatum rest at all down the stretch if 10k is within reach.

[tazzmaniac]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

[celticsclay]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

Here is a good article on it. https://deadspin.com/nba-offense-scoring-kings-clippers-1850161307

The problem is it is just not good basketball. You are gonna have someone like Colin sexton end up as a top 100 scorer all time if he stays healthy

[tenn_smoothie]

The only objective that Jayson Tatum should be concerned with at all is
the number of championship banners his Celtic teams can hang in the Garden rafters during his career.

[tazzmaniac]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

Here is a good article on it. https://deadspin.com/nba-offense-scoring-kings-clippers-1850161307

The problem is it is just not good basketball. You are gonna have someone like Colin sexton end up as a top 100 scorer all time if he stays healthy

I didn't say I liked this modern basketball.  Can't stand all the 3pt chucking.  The question is what can they do to make it better. 

However I'm not sure why you mentioned Sexton.  He's only score 5000 pts so far and he doesn't shoot that many 3s. 

[Vermont Green]

So this is an interesting point.  I would not be surprised if Tatum was fully aware of this 10,000 points/youngest player stat.  But I also don't think this is necessarily a bad thing.  I don't see Tatum as chasing points during games.  Maybe here and there to get to 50 or something like that, but not in a way that is impacting the team.

As to the league scoring or overall trend, sure, scoring it up but I am not sure that is the biggest factor.  I think the bigger factor is that players are entering the league younger and often playing longer.  Of course modern players are racking up more point quicker.  This is even going to impact career scoring.  LeBron started in the NBA when he was 19, never playing in college.  Kareem (Lew Alcindor) didn't start until he was 22.  LeBron scored 6,300 points before he was 22.

I don't think this makes the records meaningless though.  You just have to keep them in context or in perspective.  Kareem played 20 seasons, until he was 41.  Lebron is in his 20th season now and is going to play likely a couple more.

[Moranis]

why would anyone care about 10,000 points?  Sure if this was a guys last year, maybe it would be kind of cool, but it makes no difference if Tatum gets 10k this year or next year.  There isn't a bonus or anything connected to it. 

[celticsclay]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

Here is a good article on it. https://deadspin.com/nba-offense-scoring-kings-clippers-1850161307

The problem is it is just not good basketball. You are gonna have someone like Colin sexton end up as a top 100 scorer all time if he stays healthy

I didn't say I liked this modern basketball.  Can't stand all the 3pt chucking.  The question is what can they do to make it better. 

However I'm not sure why you mentioned Sexton.  He's only score 5000 pts so far and he doesn't shoot that many 3s.

Sexton was a poor example. I forgot he missed an entire season. I just knew he averaged 25 in a year he was not close to being an all star. But yeah you are gonna have someone like d fox end up with more career points than Clyde drexler or Larry bird.

[tazzmaniac]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

Here is a good article on it. https://deadspin.com/nba-offense-scoring-kings-clippers-1850161307

The problem is it is just not good basketball. You are gonna have someone like Colin sexton end up as a top 100 scorer all time if he stays healthy

I didn't say I liked this modern basketball.  Can't stand all the 3pt chucking.  The question is what can they do to make it better. 

However I'm not sure why you mentioned Sexton.  He's only score 5000 pts so far and he doesn't shoot that many 3s.

Sexton was a poor example. I forgot he missed an entire season. I just knew he averaged 25 in a year he was not close to being an all star. But yeah you are gonna have someone like d fox end up with more career points than Clyde drexler or Larry bird.

I like Fox.  He was my favorite in that draft.  He did have an all-star caliber season this year. 

Career numbers are to a large degree dependent on longevity and health.  Bird is already 41st on the career scoring list and CP3, DeRozan and Curry are about to pass him.  Fox is already 25 and is only at 7500 so he's going to need 9 or 10 more healthy seasons at his current level to pass Bird.  Luka, Tatum, Young and Morant all have a good chance of passing Bird.  I'm assuming that you don't have an issue with Luka and Tatum doing so but would with Young and Morant. 

[celticsclay]

I’ll also add these records are becoming increasingly meaningless. There are like 35 points more scored per game than there were 25 years ago. Kemba Walker scored over 30 in a game on a ten day contract this year. It’s just silly.

It isn't that much higher than the 70s and 80s and scoring was actually higher in the 60s. 

https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats_per_game.html

Here is a good article on it. https://deadspin.com/nba-offense-scoring-kings-clippers-1850161307

The problem is it is just not good basketball. You are gonna have someone like Colin sexton end up as a top 100 scorer all time if he stays healthy

I didn't say I liked this modern basketball.  Can't stand all the 3pt chucking.  The question is what can they do to make it better. 

However I'm not sure why you mentioned Sexton.  He's only score 5000 pts so far and he doesn't shoot that many 3s.

Sexton was a poor example. I forgot he missed an entire season. I just knew he averaged 25 in a year he was not close to being an all star. But yeah you are gonna have someone like d fox end up with more career points than Clyde drexler or Larry bird.

I like Fox.  He was my favorite in that draft.  He did have an all-star caliber season this year. 

Career numbers are to a large degree dependent on longevity and health.  Bird is already 41st on the career scoring list and CP3, DeRozan and Curry are about to pass him.  Fox is already 25 and is only at 7500 so he's going to need 9 or 10 more healthy seasons at his current level to pass Bird.  Luka, Tatum, Young and Morant all have a good chance of passing Bird.  I'm assuming that you don't have an issue with Luka and Tatum doing so but would with Young and Morant.

TP nice post. Fox is one of favorite players I actually enjoy watching him more than morant and definitely more than young. Fox is averaging 25 or something this year and that doesn’t appear to be going down with the pace the game is played at. So he has a very good chance of passing clear hall of fame players. I think luka and Tatum are future hall of famers but don’t think young or fox are without major development. And definitely not first ballot hall of famer like bird or drexler. That was my original point about these records becoming a lot less meaningful.

Edit: also a closer look on the math here. Larry finished with close to 22k total points. If fox plays most
Of the remaining games he will have close to 2k for the season and be at 8k for his career. If he does this for about 6 more years (and he has been pretty consistent for three) he will closing in on 20k in 6 seasons. Would definitely take less than 9 or 10 if he has good health and doesn’t have a major drop off (and these should be his prime years).