Jayson Tatum's Rise to the Top

Cellar-Door

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I would say that the value for a star in having a good midrange game is that if you can shoot 3s and get to the rim, in the playoffs a good defense will force you into mid-range shots. If you can make them you break the defense and force changes that open up more offense for yourself and others. If you can't efficiently punish it, they'll force you to either take and miss mid-ranges or make really hard passes, or dribble into multiple defenders all of which open up turnovers and breaks.
 

nighthob

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Then the dreadful finals, which was partially the Warriors confusing him, but mostly it was him running on fumes. Just need to watch game 6 against the Bucks, guy was able to get wherever he wanted on the court. By the time the finals rolled around, he had zero burst or explosion.
Gassed and injured. He was pretty clearly in pain every time he extended his right shoulder which put a real dint in his layup game.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I would say that the value for a star in having a good midrange game is that if you can shoot 3s and get to the rim, in the playoffs a good defense will force you into mid-range shots. If you can make them you break the defense and force changes that open up more offense for yourself and others. If you can't efficiently punish it, they'll force you to either take and miss mid-ranges or make really hard passes, or dribble into multiple defenders all of which open up turnovers and breaks.
Sounds remarkably like what happened to the Celtics in the finals.
 

DGreenwood

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Tatum''s problem in the midrange is that he has a fallaway that he can get (and knows he can get) in the midrange any time he wants it, no matter how tightly defended, and it will never be blocked. But it is a poor shot because he is not very accurate with it. I don't think he needs to take more midrange shots, but he needs to learn how to create good ones, open ones, and save the contested fallaways for emergenices.
I was going to post something similar to this. I totally agree. He purposely takes his time and puts himself in position with his back to the basket to take these turn around fall away contested jumpers. He needs to utilize his size and shooting ability to take the same type of pull up midrange jumpers that Durant takes.
 
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slamminsammya

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Midrange shots are bad. Efficient midrange offense is still inefficient offense. There’s some marginal value in having a good midrange game, but only to the extent it helps you get better shots that aren’t in the midrange, because midrange offense is bad.

Tatum should keep focusing on what he’s been focusing on: getting to the rim, getting to the line, and getting good looks from three. He should also keep improving his handle and passing. The last thing he should be doing is regressing to trying to be more like Kobe.
How do you explain some of the best offenses of the past 15 years also being among the leaders in midrange shots?
 

radsoxfan

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Not sure what "somewhat of fracture" means, but no doubt he was grabbing his left wrist on occasion in the playoffs.
 

The Mort Report

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That probably explains why he seemed to loose the ball a lot at the end of the playoffs going up for layups or missing easy ones. I'm not familiar with how much a cortisone shot helps, but even a little pain from contact trying to shield with his left arm would cause the right hand to want to cover it up, even if just for a moment
 

Sam Ray Not

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Not sure what "somewhat of fracture" means, but no doubt he was grabbing his left wrist on occasion in the playoffs.
It appears he really *has* been working out with LeBron. ;-P

Seriously, I pretty much buy the jacked-up left hand as at least a partial explanation for why his jumper looked quite good throughout the playoffs while his handle and drive-game seemed to desert him.

I also think he looked gassed by the Finals. Reminds me a bit of Steph ‘16, where the Finals underperformance was probably a combo of actual injury (recovery from a grade 2 MCL sprain in Steph’s case) plus just physical and mental exhaustion. And: as with Steph 2016 or LeBron 2011, you know dipshits like Skip Bayless are never gonna let JT forget ‘22, no matter how many other amazing things he will no doubt do throughout his career. (Fwiw, Skip still thinks Steph basically sucks, and was not even a little bit persuaded by his ‘22 Finals performance, all of which he attributes to the Celtics being “frauds.”)
 

lovegtm

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It appears he really *has* been working out with LeBron. ;-P

Seriously, I pretty much buy the jacked-up left hand as at least a partial explanation for why his jumper looked quite good throughout the playoffs while his handle and drive-game seemed to desert him.

I also think he looked gassed by the Finals. Reminds me a bit of Steph ‘16, where the Finals underperformance was probably a combo of actual injury (recovery from a grade 2 MCL sprain in Steph’s case) plus just physical and mental exhaustion. And: as with Steph 2016 or LeBron 2011, you know dipshits like Skip Bayless are never gonna let JT forget ‘22, no matter how many other amazing things he will no doubt do throughout his career. (Fwiw, Skip still thinks Steph basically sucks, and was not even a little bit persuaded by his ‘22 Finals performance, all of which he attributes to the Celtics being “frauds.”)
Yeah, Steph 2016 has been my go-to comparison for JT's Finals.

On the plus side, it means the "blow everyone out all the time" 2nd half of the season Celtics are more likely to have been real.
 

Rook05

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Sounds like the main “re-injure/tweak” came on Giannis’ attempted chase down block. Maybe now we can get it upgraded to a flagrant.
 

Jimbodandy

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It appears he really *has* been working out with LeBron. ;-P

Seriously, I pretty much buy the jacked-up left hand as at least a partial explanation for why his jumper looked quite good throughout the playoffs while his handle and drive-game seemed to desert him.

I also think he looked gassed by the Finals. Reminds me a bit of Steph ‘16, where the Finals underperformance was probably a combo of actual injury (recovery from a grade 2 MCL sprain in Steph’s case) plus just physical and mental exhaustion. And: as with Steph 2016 or LeBron 2011, you know dipshits like Skip Bayless are never gonna let JT forget ‘22, no matter how many other amazing things he will no doubt do throughout his career. (Fwiw, Skip still thinks Steph basically sucks, and was not even a little bit persuaded by his ‘22 Finals performance, all of which he attributes to the Celtics being “frauds.”)
Yeah, Steph 2016 has been my go-to comparison for JT's Finals.

On the plus side, it means the "blow everyone out all the time" 2nd half of the season Celtics are more likely to have been real.
We've all seen the numbers on Tatum's 2022 minutes. They're jacked. I don't care if you are 19, it was too many minutes not to be affected. And like the comparable Steph year, it was high intensity minutes over a long period of time. You can't go hardo for six months straight and remain unaffected by it. It was a roll of the dice that he'd last, and it just didn't work out. That's not to take away from GSW's solid defense, but I think that everyone knows that Tatum was gassed and for reasons.

And FFS, anyone who is smart enough to operate a toaster should disregard anything that Skip has to say.
 

Euclis20

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We've all seen the numbers on Tatum's 2022 minutes. They're jacked. I don't care if you are 19, it was too many minutes not to be affected. And like the comparable Steph year, it was high intensity minutes over a long period of time. You can't go hardo for six months straight and remain unaffected by it. It was a roll of the dice that he'd last, and it just didn't work out. That's not to take away from GSW's solid defense, but I think that everyone knows that Tatum was gassed and for reasons.

And FFS, anyone who is smart enough to operate a toaster should disregard anything that Skip has to say.
Not just 2022, Tatum has played more minutes since being drafted (regular season + playoffs) than anyone else in the NBA over the same timeframe. Even with the finals run, this will be his longest offseason since after his rookie season (international play in 2021, the bubble in 2020, and more international play in 2019). Hopefully this not only allows him to get off to a faster start (he's been a noticeably better player after the ASB throughout his career) but also stay fresh deeper into the playoffs.
 
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RorschachsMask

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8slim

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He played the last two months with a non displaced fracture in his wrist (non shooting hand). Got a cortisone shot in his wrist after game 3 against MIL
View: https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1561465262582276097?s=20&t=jvy6aXMcB6Our69z6QQGtA
Soooo, are there *any* rules about a team’s injury reporting? Tatum is certainly not the first player to acknowledge an injury long after the season ended. Aren’t the Cs supposed to be revealing this when it is impairing the player? I don’t get it, what is the point of an injury report if you can hide things without consequences?
 

lexrageorge

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Soooo, are there *any* rules about a team’s injury reporting? Tatum is certainly not the first player to acknowledge an injury long after the season ended. Aren’t the Cs supposed to be revealing this when it is impairing the player? I don’t get it, what is the point of an injury report if you can hide things without consequences?
If he’s able to play, there is no requirement to disclose an injury. All pro leagues work the same way.
 

8slim

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If he’s able to play, there is no requirement to disclose an injury. All pro leagues work the same way.
That’s the rule? Seems like NBA teams often disclosure injuries when a player’s status is up in the air ahead of games.

Plus, didn’t Tatum have some DNPs late in the regular season? Was that pre-non disclosed injury?
 

Smokey Joe

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That’s the rule? Seems like NBA teams often disclosure injuries when a player’s status is up in the air ahead of games.

Plus, didn’t Tatum have some DNPs late in the regular season? Was that pre-non disclosed injury?
If you disclose an injury in the NBA, that just means some A—H—-, I mean Draymond Green will come along and target it.
 

sezwho

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The NFL seems to be a little stricter on how teams are supposed to report, no?
I believe the NFL expects 50% of probables and 25% of questionable, etc. This is done for betting, but can easily be manipulated of course by putting people you know we’re gonna play on the list (or opposite).

Bit of older link
 
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benhogan

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Speaking of, the tweet below. They are also going to release an off ball gravity stat, which I expect Tatum to grade out equally high with.

View: https://twitter.com/The_BBall_Index/status/1564370305849724929?s=20&t=K4vbDg51gzG3YwKdMCPIcg


View: https://twitter.com/head_stats/status/1564296162785607686?s=20&t=lpUjM4slu-BkvsztwZDqNg
Color me skeptical if James Harden, circa 2022, was warping defenses more than Curry/KD/Giannis/Joker last season

Jimmy Butler doesn't even register in the TOP20

Maybe last season's playoffs are fresh in my memory
 

lexrageorge

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The 2021-22 Harden was much easier to defend than prior years' versions, which was the reason he completely disappeared in the playoffs. I'm guessing that teams simply defended Harden heavily knowing that would be a good way to shut down the Kyrie-less Nets or the Sixers with an injured Embiid. And those numbers do not reflect how easy it was to score on Harden last season.
 

RorschachsMask

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Color me skeptical if James Harden, circa 2022, was warping defenses more than Curry/KD/Giannis/Joker last season

Jimmy Butler doesn't even register in the TOP20

Maybe last season's playoffs are fresh in my memory
Harden still averaged 22/7/11 on a 60% TS for the Sixers, and 58% for the season. Had the 13th highest blitzed rate in the league, as well. He’s not what he was, but he’s still an elite player offensively, and defenses throw a ton at him. He’s crap defensively, but he grades out that way.

It’s also just for on ball gravity. I think when the off ball gravity stat drops, he will rank a lot lower in that, whereas Jokic/Steph/etc will rank much higher.

Butler doesn’t draw much defensive attention for a superstar, so I’m not surprised at him not being top 20. Don’t think he had one of the 40 highest blitzed percentages in the league, IIRC.

Edit: here’s the thread with how often players are blitzed, which is the best way to warp a defense.

View: https://twitter.com/knarsu3/status/1512177922542551041?s=20&t=3OwAJK1bTR7wivXbJEm1Fw
 
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RorschachsMask

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Been a lot of Tatum stuff coming out the last few days. This is cool, even if these polls are stupid. Think @benhogan will appreciate it, just because Tatum’s defense seems to finally be getting it’s due.

View: https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1564607999330639879?s=20&t=z-_W2EyxL1rUYAOV-zQ1PA


2. Who will be the best player in the NBA in five years?

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 7 votes

Luka Doncic: 6 votes

Jayson Tatum: 2 votes

Also receiving consideration was the 24-year-old Tatum, who is coming off leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

Both Tatum voters pointed to his status as one of the league's premier young two-way stars.

"Just because of the defensive component," said an Eastern Conference scout. "Luka is a stud, and you don't need to be a defensive lockdown guy to be an All-NBA player like he is, but having Tatum's self-creation ability, his physical tools and his ability to give you defensive versatility, that's pretty special.

"Luka did a hell of a job carrying that team this year, but the two-way wing creator/scorer is the ultimate archetype, and Tatum is that at 24 years old, and just got that team to the Finals. I just like his ability to give you something defensively that Luka likely never will be able to."
 

benhogan

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Been a lot of Tatum stuff coming out the last few days. This is cool, even if these polls are stupid. Think @benhogan will appreciate it, just because Tatum’s defense seems to finally be getting it’s due.

View: https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1564607999330639879?s=20&t=z-_W2EyxL1rUYAOV-zQ1PA
Ha, guilty as charged. I'm definitely a Tatum-shill when it comes to his Wing-defensive in regards to polls/rankings

It felt like blitzing Harden had some advantages (other than stopping James' offense)
1. game was called/ref'd differently
2. Harden's lack of conditioning
3. his visible frustration/quitting on D on every TO
 

RorschachsMask

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Ha, guilty as charged. I'm definitely a Tatum-shill when it comes to his Wing-defensive in regards to polls/rankings

It felt like blitzing Harden had some advantages (other than stopping James' offense)
1. game was called/ref'd differently
2. Harden's lack of conditioning
3. his visible frustration/quitting on D on every TO
Oh yeah players get blitzed for a multitude of reasons. Players who tend to be black holes get blitzed because it usually blows up the possession offensively. Some guys won’t get blitzed often because they’ll kill you with passing, which is definitely the case with Jokic. The threat of the pull-up three is usually the biggest reason, which is why Dame/Steph/Tatum get trapped so often.

I don’t care about Harden one way or the other, but he’s still a really good offensive player. 22/11 on a 60% TS while him and the team adjusted to a new offense is pretty damn good. I think there’s a good chance he’s top 10 (closer to 10 lol) in the MVP race next season tbh, he seems to finally be taking his body seriously.
 

Devizier

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What stands out to me is that Russell Westbrook’s shooting is fucking terrible, which is the only way that can explain how bad he is offensively, given that he is still one of the best playmakers in the league.
 

Euclis20

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Jokes about his age aside, it's remarkable that despite entering year 6, Tatum is still the 3rd youngest player on the roster (and one of the 2 younger than him is Davison, who will spend plenty of time not with the team).
 

RorschachsMask

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Jokes about his age aside, it's remarkable that despite entering year 6, Tatum is still the 3rd youngest player on the roster (and one of the 2 younger than him is Davison, who will spend plenty of time not with the team).
One thing that everyone (myself included) always forgets, despite being drafted only a year apart, his season age is two years younger than Jaylen. JB turns 26 in a couple of weeks, Tatum is 24 until March.

The fact that Jaylen is just about 26 blows my mind, time really freaking flies.