Tatum’s game still Rising
Relishes rare NBA opportunity
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — At least Jayson Tatum had a little more familiarity last night, with honorary team U.S. coach Kyrie Irving on his feet the entire night pacing in front of the bench, and offering lots of applause and back slaps.
“Last year I was a little nervous and this year jot at all,” the Celtics forward said of his ability to cut loose for 30 points and nine rebounds, including a game-high six 3-pointers in the U.S. team’s 161-144 win over the International team in the Rising Stars Challenge.
“That was good coaching, letting us shoot,” said Tatum, who finished only five points behind the eventual MVP, the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, who scored a game-high 35.
In his second time around on All-Star weekend as a member of the U.S. team, Tatum also is the greatest example of how good this league can get for a young player.
He was the leading scorer on a Celtics team, stripped of Irving and Gordon Hayward, that nonetheless reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last spring. Not the rookie of the year, Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, whose team was easily pushed aside by the Celtics in the conference semifinals.
To put a cherry on that moment last Tuesday in Philadelphia, Tatum executed the most compelling dunk of his young NBA career. The Celtics forward dribbled behind his back while doing a 180degree spin around Joel Embiid before dunking over Simmons.
Luka Doncic, this season’s rookie of the year frontrunner, seems to be impressed by all that Tatum has accomplished.
“He’s amazing,” the Dallas wing player said. “Last year I remember watching the playoffs when they played. So he’s just amazing. A lot of players, especially if you’re a rookie, in the playoffs, it’s hard to play. But he showed it, and he’s an amazing player.”
Tatum admits his level of opportunity has been rare since joining the Celtics. Even this year, with Irving back and Hayward finally on the floor, Tatum remains the top option outside of his allstar point guard.
As he now admits, last spring’s playoff experience and opportunity is rare for a young player.
“Being on a playoff team like last season, that’s the most important thing in our league,” Tatum said. “That’s when it all matters. Having that experience of getting to the Eastern Conference finals, playing a Game 7. No matter what people say, you can only tell them you won’t know it until you’re in that moment. It’s something you can keep for the rest of your career.”
Tatum’s development has been ongoing, with an unusually high level of influences.
Kobe Bryant broke down his game as part of a video series for ESPN last season called Detail, at one point critiquing Tatum’s movement off picks to free up for jump shots.
Though the team told Tatum to take the summer off from last year’s Las Vegas competition, he went into the gym with Bryant.
“I learned a lot training with Kobe, and I continue working out with him,” Tatum said. “He’s one of the best players to ever play this game. I learn so much from him from a mental standpoint, and a detail-oriented standpoint. Both the moves and the mindset.”
He’s also been in the gym, every day for almost two seasons, with Irving.
If his defense is to ever reach the level of his offense, attempting to guard Irving is the exposure that will get him there.
Asked yesterday about the toughest pro he has had to guard, Tatum’s thoughts went back to the Auerbach Center, and playing one-onone with Irving.
“Kyrie. The toughest guy I’ve had to guard,” he said.
Irving, who has been publicly critical of his younger Celtics teammates this season, can also be Tatum’s toughest critic.
“When me and him talk we have honest conversations,” said Tatum. “That’s what we expect from each other.”