I'm On Board With Tatum

[footey]

I was definitely in the Josh Jackson camp. 

But Ainge elected to draft Tatum instead.

He is now a Celtic.  So I am now his biggest fan.

Josh who?

Seriously, I think he will be a great addition to the team. He is young, long, has a scorer's mentality.  Most of his weaknesses are on the defensive side and can be corrected.  He will be under the tutelage of a great coach, who will maximize his talents, and eliminate/hide his weaknesses.

[Tr1boy]

I was definitely in the Josh Jackson camp. 

But Ainge elected to draft Tatum instead.

He is now a Celtic.  So I am now his biggest fan.

Josh who?

Seriously, I think he will be a great addition to the team. He is young, long, has a scorer's mentality.  Most of his weaknesses are on the defensive side and can be corrected.  He will be under the tutelage of a great coach, who will maximize his talents, and eliminate/hide his weaknesses.

He is kind of positionless on the defensive end is the main concern I have... He tries though  and has the tools to guard 4' and 3 ...and guards in a pinch

Not much concerns on the offensive end. Except just needs to improve on his 3 pt shooting

[Tr1boy]

If we jump the gun... at the moment you could not be confident he can contain Lebron nor Durant... Nor Tristant Thompson, Daymond Greens of the world

Offensively he could likely give all of these guys some issues

When I think about how Dirk was able to survive on the defensive end and work his magic on the offensive end... Hopefully Tatum can get by the same way and become an all star for yeara to come

[PaulAllen]

Love how many analysts think he will be the best player in the draft ...
Love his work ethic and background..
Love his shooting ability...

but will he ever be better than Jimmy Butler?
The decision to trade the #1 for the #3 and a future is not DA's biggest dilemma ..
Its whether he could have traded the #3 for Butler and still have that extra pick next year or the next ... This will now add extra pressure on Ainge and Tatum ...
Now if he lands PG-13 (and stays) then it makes more sense

[KGBirdBias]

I believe Ainge knew the Sixers wanted Fultz and Lakers wanted Ball so why take Tatum at #1 when he can get him at #3 and get another pick. He was only working out Jackson to flip with the Suns and get another pick and take Tatum at #4.

[Tr1boy]

I believe Ainge knew the Sixers wanted Fultz and Lakers wanted Ball so why take Tatum at #1 when he can get him at #3 and get another pick. He was only working out Jackson to flip with the Suns and get another pick and take Tatum at #4.

Doubt it

Kind of a kick in tatums face... Cant do this too many times

[seancally]

I don't follow college ball closely, so I rely on expert analysis and highlights and stuff. So I'm no expert. But I'll say this: If Jackson and Tatum was an argument, all I need to know the tiebreaker is that Tatum is 13 months the younger. Done.

Love his head, which is also an aspect of Jaylen Brown's that I think helped him progress nicely his rookie year. Love his skillset, which is harder to teach than defense (a product of effort, system and athleticism). Love his size. Excited for this pick.

[BlackCeltic]

Tatum and Fultz were the only 2 that were exceptional on all 3 levels and had great NBA size. This was the right pick. Josh Jackson is a wing version of Deandre Jordan. His free throw shooting will kill them.

[Tr1boy]

Tatum and Fultz were the only 2 that were exceptional on all 3 levels and had great NBA size. This was the right pick. Josh Jackson is a wing version of Deandre Jordan. His free throw shooting will kill them.

Seriouslt? Come on now

[seancally]

Tatum and Fultz were the only 2 that were exceptional on all 3 levels and had great NBA size. This was the right pick. Josh Jackson is a wing version of Deandre Jordan. His free throw shooting will kill them.

Yeah that might be a bit harsh - even Lebron isn't a stellar FT shooter...

But his shot is more of a concern to me than Tatum's defense is. Maybe Jackson will fix his shot, but he's a year older than Tatum and it's far from a guarantee. I'm going to go out on a limb and sat Tatum's defense will be just fine.

For what it's worth, if Pierce is the ceiling comparison for Tatum, we won't care if the dude's a defensive stopper or not.

[Chris22]

I watched Tatum make 17 straight NBA threes in a practice video.
Tatum is a year younger than Jackson.
Tatum wants to be a Celtic.
Jackson shoots 56% at the free throw line.
We need shooters.

[BaronV]

but will he ever be better than Jimmy Butler?
The decision to trade the #1 for the #3 and a future is not DA's biggest dilemma ..
Its whether he could have traded the #3 for Butler and still have that extra pick next year or the next ... This will now add extra pressure on Ainge and Tatum ...
Now if he lands PG-13 (and stays) then it makes more sense

Not quite.  He's a lot cheaper than Jimmy Butler.  And we didn't have to give up anything to get him.  We would have had to match salaries to bring Butler over. 

So really, its a question of whether he and whatever free agent we sign with the cap space Butler isn't taking up,plus whatever we would get for the salary filler guys (e.g. Zeller) included in the trade would be better for the team than Butler.  It would be hard to argue that if the Celtics are able to sign Griffin, Hayward, or even Mllsap with the cap space that Butler would have taken up, that Butler would be better for the team in the long run than that FA plus Tatum. 

[celts55]

First, Tatum apparently wanted to play for the Celtics. Jackson obviously didn't.
Second, Celts need scoring, already have a bunch of great d, high energy, can't shoot guys.
Third, maybe it doesn't matter that much, but Tatum just seems to be a better person. Know I shouldn't make judgments, but listening to him, he seems like a genuinely nice kid. Jackson has had his issues. Not branding him for life, but at this point in their lives.
All in all, I'm good with the pick. I think he'll fill a need.     

[Casperian]

but will he ever be better than Jimmy Butler?

not in a million years...

[footey]

Cancelling the workout in mid-flight showed poor judgement and questionable character.

Tatum showed up despite being sick.