Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum sturdy begin pivotal in opposition to Brooklyn Nets

After the embarrassing loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, I used to be searching for Boston’s stars to step up, principally Jayson Tatum after he had a quiet sport by his excessive requirements.

When the sport began, Tatum was at his finest. Though it was tough for the Boston Celtics to attain because the Nets made them work for each level, Tatum was there attending to his spots, one in all which was ultimately voted because the Play of the Recreation.

Tatum completed the primary quarter with 13 factors together with scoring the staff’s closing six factors to chop the Brooklyn Nets’ result in two. Popping out of the gates sizzling units the tone for each groups. It reveals the Celtics that their star is giving his all even when it’s only a Wednesday sport in opposition to a staff that won’t make the playoffs, if he’s going sturdy, everybody round him has to. It additionally sends a message to the opposition that it’s going to be an extended evening for them if Boston’s star has a robust begin.

Tatum was requested postgame by NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin how a lot accountability he places on himself to reply following a disappointing loss.

“[I] Simply wished to bounce again. That’s the benefit of the NBA, there’s all the time one other sport. Whether or not it’s in two days, sooner or later, or the subsequent day,” Tatum mentioned. “We didn’t really feel nice on the aircraft final evening, however we have been excited for one more alternative to reply, I knew we have been going to play properly as we speak.”

Tatum additionally acknowledged that it’s an extended season and despite the fact that they didn’t like that they misplaced, it’s necessary to not get “too low.”

“For one being within the league for seven seasons now, the NBA is sort of a rollercoaster. Emotionally, the extra staying-level you may keep at, I believe the higher you’ll be. You may’t get too excessive on wins or too low on losses,” Tatum mentioned. “Not saying you sweep them beneath the rug. You acknowledge what transpired and why you misplaced and we did that. We’re all professionals and knew we might play higher and we dropped the ball on issues. However the signal of a extremely good staff is the way you reply and coming off a back-to-back we have been down Al and simply performed this staff and took it to time beyond regulation. I believe we responded in an effective way.”

What I loved most about Tatum’s efficiency was his shot choice. Earlier this season after the Pacers sport, the All-Star spoke about not liking his shot choice after going 5-of-18 from three. When Jayson doesn’t have his shot going from deep, there are occasions when it seems to be like he simply continues to jack up threes hoping it’ll ultimately go in. As a substitute, Tatum had a few good strikes ending together with his left hand which he spoke about postgame.

“I simply take what the protection offers me. I work actually laborious at this sport and put so much into it. I wish to credit score myself for having the ability to do a little bit of all the things,” Tatum mentioned.

“I didn’t essentially play properly. Yesterday, I turned the ball over an excessive amount of. I simply wished to get again on observe and attempt to dominate the sport one of the best I might,” he mentioned.

In opposition to Brooklyn, his shot was falling, however he was mixing it up. He shot 5-of-6 from past the arc and his threes have been opened up by his risk of attacking the paint which he did numerous instances.

Photograph by Jeff Haynes/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

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To start out the second half, I didn’t suppose Tatum might play significantly better and he proved me fallacious. He scored 15 factors within the third to essentially put a stamp on the sport and to ship a message to Brooklyn that they’d no hope.

Being led by your star in each halves reveals how locked in he’s. Nobody particular person can do it themselves, however by Tatum being aggressive and making the suitable play, whether or not it’s scoring or facilitating (he completed 10 assists), he will get the opposite guys to comply with him.

Tatum was requested what has modified since he’s having his finest season with regard to assists and steals and his second finest season with regard to scoring.

“It’s solely 13 video games so there’s nonetheless an extended technique to go earlier than we will evaluate it to different seasons. Getting older and being in higher bodily form. Being 26 that is one of the best bodily I’ve felt in comparison with different years…,” Tatum mentioned.

Every season, I search for what gamers do otherwise than within the earlier season and for Tatum, it’s clear: begin the sport sizzling and set the tone. In opposition to Brooklyn, he did it in each halves which was pivotal in Boston’s win.