For the Celtics to Win the Series, Jayson Tatum Must Go Back to His Roots
Jayson Tatum is on the brink of superstardom while the Celtics are on the brink of elimination. Two brinks, which is two more than the Celtics gave Isaiah Thomas. Both Tatum and the Celtics need one thing from Tatum to cross both thresholds, go back to his roots.
What I mean by that is best explained by looking at some of Tatum’s draft profiles. From NBADraft.net:
He is at his best in the mid-range area where he can create space and shoot over the top of the defense with a high release point on his jumper
He was an absolute nightmare four opposing four men to guard, especially in the mid-range, where he used his shiftiness and creativity to get into his mid-range game at will
From DraftExpress:
Tatum is most effective on the perimeter when he has time to gather himself, as he shot 40.5% on unguarded catch and shoot shots, according to Synergy Sports Technology, most of which were from three-point range.
And, of course, from the best draft resource available, uhhhhh Basketball Society?:
He will not dominate from 3 but is capable of stretching the floor as a drive and kick outlet. Most of his damage will be done from mid-range.
What are two recurring themes we see in the quotes that I specifically extracted to create two recurring themes? Mid-range shots and catch and shoot 3s. I want Tatum to focus on taking more walk-in mid-range shots, a shot Milwaukee let’s him have anytime he wants out of the pick and roll, and to turn his pull up 3s in to catch and shoots. Let me show you the numbers to help explain why.
I’m not sure I really even have to write anything else. I think the numbers speak for themselves, but nonetheless, I’m an ego maniac and still feel the need to speak on it.
The disparity in 3% is breathtaking. I’ve never seen anything like it for a guy that’s known as a good/great pull up shooter. He was GENERATIONAL at pull-ups his whole career, and now he cannot hit shit. Bad timing Jayson. It looked like last game Tatum was determined to shoot himself back into being a good pull up 3 shooter. It… didn’t go as planned. To his credit, he stopped taking them in the second half and was more determined to get the rim. While I am normally a big “he was open, he should take that shot” guy, given the stakes and the random nature of having your season on the line in one game, he needs to trade some of those, and his shitty floaters, for mid range jumpers and catch and shoot 3s.
Pull Up a Little Later, But Not Too Late
One thing I haven’t addressed yet is that ghastly shooting percentage in the paint, but not in the restricted area. This is commonly referred to as floater range. Mid-range shots are generally inefficient, hell 41% isn’t KD level or anything, but good God, if he trades in some of these floaters for mid range shots, we are going to get a lot more consistent. The Bucks are just too long, and stay too packed at the rim to convert these types of bullshit shots consistently. So I contend that instead of trying to get almost all the way to the rim when it’s packed tight, Tatum tap into his inner 19 year old (should be easy) and shoot more shots like this:
Smart, decisive drive. Occupies all that space that Milwaukee leaves in their drop coverage, feet and shoulders are square when he turns the corner, pull up, money. DO THIS SHIT MORE JT! It’s what he made his living on growing up. I know it’s in there somewhere.
And for the love of God, stop letting the Bucks bait you into threes like this. Early in the clock and look how much goddamn space there is to exploit! You’re giving the Bucks free stops. You can get that shot at any point in the possession if you just set a pick, there’s no reason to take it without at least TRYING to attack. That can’t happen in a do or die game 6 on the road.
Tatum has historically been an underwhelming mid-range shooter as a pro, but a lot of that is shot diet. He takes a ton of these types of mid rangers. That’s a horrible look, but in part, he’s asked to create at the end of the clock so he’s forced into them somewhat. He also just never bothers to put himself into a position to get good ones. With the Celtics season, and his spot in the NBA, up in the air, Tatum needs to let the open middies fly.
For the Love of God Pass and Move
Tatum is taking 5.7 pull up 3s a game to only 2.7 catch and shoot 3s. Considering the Grand Canyon sized gulf between his efficiency in those two shots these playoffs, that’s not ideal. There’s no reason to take a shot like this early in the clock. It’s makeable, but you aren’t putting any pressure on the rim, there’s minimal chance to get fouled, and none of your teammates touch the ball. Drive and kick, drive and kick. You empower your teammates and make the defense scramble. It opens gaps, gaps you can exploit by… oh I don’t know
RELOCATING TO A DANGEROUS POSITION!!!
What happened to this version of JT? back to back drive and kicks where he relocated and got wide open… wait for it…. CATCH AND SHOOT 3s!!!!! This was 3 games ago, what the fuck happened????? He’s shooting 50 fucking percent on catch and shoot 3s. We should be angling our entire offense to get him those looks. Run more pick and roll with Smart. Run more pick and roll with White. And most importantly, run pick and roll with Tatum, and then GIVE UP THE BALL AND MOVE.
A focused Jayson Tatum is one of the very best players in the league and capable of winning you a championship. Unfocused Jayson Tatum is closer to Antoine Walker than Kevin Durant. Part of ascending to the very upper echelon of NBA greatness is about a focused mindset and consistency. We are seeing Milwaukee’s superstar exude both, even when his shot is off. It’s time for Tatum to tap into young Jay, get out of his own head, and just play basketball. The Cs will only go as far as their young star will take them. Celtics in 7.
An Important Announcement
So, happy to announce that the Celtics Reddit Podcast boys are going live! What do I mean? We have been selected by Playback to host watch parties. CelticsJ, Ben (Brutalgash), and I will be watching Game 6 tonight, and you can jump in, watch with us (you can link your cable/league pass to the playback account) and interact. It’s basically like going live on Youtube, but we also stream the game at the same time. CelticsJ’s tweet has the link and the info. Really hope some of you can join us, otherwise it will just be us 3, which I will enjoy nonetheless.
