Jayson Tatum is Boston’s best athlete and it’s not even close
On Tuesday’s Zolak & Bertrand program, the guys react to a John Tomase article that claims Jayson Tatum is the face of Boston Sports.
THE JAYSON TATUM CONVERSATION…
Bertrand: But on this point that we have discussed on this show already several times, Jayson Tatum is Boston’s best athlete and it’s really not close. There is nobody in town who can get into the conversation in their sport the way Tatum is in the conversation. There is nobody close.
Zolak: Part of the problem with the NBA, is you’ve got 82 games. And, it’s almost a given that the Celtics are going to be a playoffs a playoff team, right? That’s pretty much every year.
And part of the problem is Tatum hasn’t won yet. So he’s in the process of getting there to win. With the Patriots, Belichick is attached to the team. Now, if there was a random coach here, nobody would care about the Pats.
It’s the whole Belichick dynamic that keeps it alive.
Bertrand: I would agree with that, but for Tatum, the unfortunate part for him is that he is coming into the Boston sports scene at a really bad time. He wants to be a superstar.
Bertrand: Like Ortiz, Brady, and Bergeron, but to a lesser degree.
Zolak: Tatum’s is the guy that they talk about. He’s the guy the kids talk about.
Bertrand: It’s just a tough time to be thrown around in the same breath as Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, and Ortiz. Like, all those Red Sox stars won multiple times.
Hardy: Even the Celtics superstars of the 2000s Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had that charisma. You’re talking about overall public perception. It matters how you’re going to be perceived and how you’re going to be held.
Zolak: Swagger and confidence in the NBA do matter. It’s an all-star league.
Hardy: I’m not even talking about winning or losing, though. In terms of Boston Sports superstars, you have to have that good perception. And you’ve got competition in terms of older legends that have played here.
SEGMENT AUDIO
Ryan Beaton is a producer for 985thesportshub.com. You can follow Ryan at @ry_beaton on Twitter.
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WATCH: The Celtics' blowout of the Pacers in 155 seconds
Jayson Tatum is otherworldly right now
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 01: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden on November 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
If four games so far this season, Tatum is shooting 56.3 percent overall, 40.7 percent from 3-point distance, 66.7 percent on 2-pointers and 80 percent from the free-throw line. He’s averaging 29.8 points, 9.3 rebounds (a career high) and four assists. Turnovers remain a constant work in progress for both Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but it’s hard to be more efficient than he has been thus far.
The Celtics have been hard to shoot against
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 01: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot with pressure from Kristaps Porzingis #8, Oshae Brissett #12, and Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at TD Garden on November 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Look, when it comes to defense, we often focus on the stats – steals and blocks, in particular. But at the end of the day, the simplest goal of defense is this: can you force the opponent into a bad or difficult shot? Currently, the Celtics have held opponents to the fourth-lowest shooting percentage in the NBA. Boston also has allowed, on average, the fifth-fewest points per game in the paint.
Why is this important? With the departures of Marcus, Smart, Grant Williams and Robert Williams, there was much concern about the impact on the Celtics’ defense. So far, both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have filled the gap and more, particularly inside the 3-point line.
One note: Early on, the New York Knicks and Miami Heat torched the Celtics from 3-point distance. Keep an eye on that. Better performances in the last two games have made the Celtics 10th best in the league defending the 3-point line, but it’s worth watching.
