Mazzulla responds to narrative surrounding Tatum in NBA Finals

Mazzulla responds to narrative surrounding Tatum in NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

If scoring and shooting percentage are your measuring sticks, Jayson Tatum is having a rough 2024 NBA Finals.

The Boston Celtics star scored just 16 points on 6 of 16 shooting in Game 1 against the Dallas Mavericks, then mustered 18 points in Game 2 on 6 of 18 shooting. He ranks 17th among all players in these Finals with a 31.6 shooting percentage and has made just 28.6 percent of his 3-pointers (4 of 14). Going back to the 2022 Finals, Tatum has been one of the worst high-volume shooters in Finals history, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press.

97 players have attempted 150+ shots in NBA Finals since 1968. Jayson Tatum’s 35.4% shooting is worst of all of those players

— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) June 10, 2024

The Celtics own a 2-0 series lead despite Tatum’s shooting woes, however — thanks in part to his passing prowess. Tatum racked up 12 assists in Game 2 and leads all players in this series with 17 helpers through two games, thwarting Mavs double-teams by finding open teammates like Kristaps Porzingis (20 points in Game 1) and Jrue Holiday (26 points in Game 2).

But as the series shifts to Dallas for Game 3, do the Celtics need Tatum to be more aggressive in finding (and making) shots? That’s been a popular narrative on talk shows in the wake of Game 2, and C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t having it.

“I think it’s unfortunate, first, that making the right play is looked at as taking a backseat,” Mazzulla told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand on Tuesday. “I don’t think he’s taking a backseat at all. I think he’s actually been more aggressive by welcoming 2-on-1s, welcoming opportunities to make plays and finding the right balance.

“I think we just look at it differently. I don’t think he’s taken a backseat. I think he’s been super aggressive in manipulating the defense, taking what the defense gives him and making the right play.”

To Mazzulla’s point, the Celtics are 8-0 this postseason when Tatum scores 23 or fewer points, so he’s found other ways to impact winning when his shot isn’t falling. While…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mazzulla-responds-narrative-surrounding-tatum-191949889.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-11 19:19:49

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