This aspect of Tatum’s playoff run really impressed rival coaches

This aspect of Tatum’s playoff run really impressed rival coaches originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics didn’t need Jayson Tatum to score 30 points per game to march through the 2024 NBA playoffs and win their first championship since 2008.

The Celtics have so much depth and so many guys who are capable of scoring 20-plus points on a given night.

Tatum didn’t shoot at a high level in the postseason. He shot 42.7 percent from the field and just 28.3 percent from 3-point range over 19 playoff games this spring. Despite those lackluster percentages, Tatum still averaged 25 points per game. But more importantly, he contributed to winning in many other areas.

In addition to leading the Celtics in scoring during the playoffs, he also ranked No. 1 on the team in rebounds (9.7) and assists (6.3) per game. He also played very well defensively — guarding multiple positions and ranking second on the team at 1.1 steals per game.

Tatum’s ability to impact the game in a major way, even on rough shooting nights, was proof of the growth he’s made as a player since his rookie campaign in 2017-18.

In fact, one of the coaches at USA Basketball praised Tatum for this aspect of his growth.

“Earlier in my career, I was so defined — or wanted to be defined — by scoring,” Tatum said on the most recent episode of the Old Man & the Three podcast. “If I would have off-shooting nights, it would affect other things that I was doing on the court.

“I had my first practice today at USA Basketball. I won’t say his name, but one of the coaches came up to me and said him and a lot of other coaches watched throughout the playoffs and were so impressed by my willingness to dominate in all areas. And the nights I wasn’t shooting well, could I get 14 rebounds, could I get eight assists, could I guard the big man?

“To see my growth from early in my career when I would, for the lack of a better word, maybe shut down or be frustrated about that, instead of trying to figure out other ways to win; for him to come and tell me that, it meant a lot.”

Jayson Tatum said one of the Team USA coaches told him at practice that they were so…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/aspect-tatums-playoff-run-really-153013453.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-07-10 16:35:02

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.