Most rookies around the NBA tend to limp to the finish line once March and April hit the calendar. The challenge of an 82-game schedule with all of the travel, additional minutes, and NBA physicality can add up for a player that has never been through that grind.
For a while in January and February, it looked like Jayson Tatum was going to be another victim of that trend. Despite being the most durable player on the Celtics roster (started every game this season) his play was starting to show some holes. A dislocated finger perhaps served as an additional obstacle for the 20-year-old, but his shooting percentages decreased significantly over those two months. He lost the ball regularly on trips to the hoop. His contributions in other facets of the game (rebounds, free throw attempts) decreased as well, compared to his season numbers.
“There was definitely a period where it was just tough, it was tough to score,” Tatum admitted Tuesday night. “My rhythm felt off. Guys told me there were going to be ups and downs in the season, especially in the first year.”
The Celtics tried to mask some of these issues by taking some pressure off the rookie with a reduced-minutes load and an increased reliance on the second unit. However, those options dissipated quickly in the past two weeks as Jaylen Brown, Daniel Theis, Marcus Smart and Kyrie Irving were all lost to injury. The Celtics no longer had the freedom to treat the rookie with just kid gloves. If they wanted to give themselves a chance to win any given night, they would need to lead the way.
Tatum did just that in Tuesday’s win over the Thunder, posting 23 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the 100-99 comeback win. The performance put the rookie on pace for the best month of his NBA career, and beneath the improved scoring numbers lies a promising trend.
In March, Tatum is currently averaging 16.3 ppg on 49.5 percent shooting. His 3-point shooting has remained at an elite level (40 percent) despite the increased shot volume (four attempts per game is nearly double his season average). However, it is Tatum’s work in the paint that bears close watching for C’s fans.
All year long, Tatum has been a below average finisher at the rim for his size and skill level. He has made just 56.8 percent of his attempts inside of 5 feet on the year, losing a number of those attempts on the way up as he faced or tried to avoid contact.
Tatum’s game has started to mature more within the last month in the paint and the results have improved with his increased shot volume. Watch a few of these takes from Tatum in the past couple games. He’s making his moves with more authority off the dribble and playing smart through contact around the rim.
Jayson Tatum with the shake and bake! #NBARooks #Celtics have jumped out in front on TNT pic.twitter.com/oTKkU0iSXX
— NBA (@NBA) March 21, 2018
? Jayson Tatum!!! ? pic.twitter.com/9pWj5CfhOX
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 21, 2018
Why Jayson Tatum will be an NBA superstar, part II: pic.twitter.com/cvm21HNdwx
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) March 20, 2018
Jayson Tatum smoooooth! ?#Celtics pic.twitter.com/VzXpnTwmtr
— NBA (@NBA) March 21, 2018
Tatum throws it down hard! ? pic.twitter.com/MCBwba8ldK
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 21, 2018
