At 25 years old, Jayson Tatum still has plenty of time to win a title before his career is over. With the Celtics loaded with talent and boasting the best record in the league, it looks like Jayson will start adding a ring to his finger.
But according to NBA analyst Colin Cowherd, Tatum’s title window may have closed.
“It took him almost two years to win a title. This may be the year the Celtics won a title, but this year is a new one for them.”
Colin Cowherd believes Jayson Tatum’s championship window could be closing
"Tatum was not ready when he first got into the league… Now he's not as good as the young guard."
(Via @TheHerd ) pic.twitter.com/g4p0nTzl2q
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 5, 2024
It’s not the place. In fact, the Cs have won most of Jayson Tatum’s season and have been in the playoffs multiple times. Unfortunately, the Celtics couldn’t get their chance, and with players like Giannis, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler fighting for supremacy, it won’t get any easier.
The Celtics are the best team in basketball this season, but the same has been said for years. In the past, this sky team couldn’t do that.
FS1’s The Herd’s Colin Cowherd explains why he believes Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum’s champion days may be over.
"Tatum was not ready when he first got into the league… Now he's not as good as the young guard."
— @ColinCowherd wonders if Jayson Tatum missed his championship window pic.twitter.com/o11iz5vg0U
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 5, 2024
Colin says Tatum didn’t take advantage of LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s declines, Steph Curry and others, and now find themselves in the shadow of Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jayson Tatum is great, but these are the players who led the all-star vote among fans. Giannis, LeBron, Embiid, Durant, Tatum.
There are “old” stars like Kawhi, LeBron, Steph, AD, etc. And “world class” players like Giannis, Embiid, Jokic, Wemby, Luka, SGA and others dominate the league. And there are some of the best players in town in between: Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, Trey Young, and Jayson Tatum.
Will Tatum win the title?
When Tatum came into the NBA, he wasn’t like James and Stephen, he wasn’t like Kawhi, he wasn’t like the “old guard.”
He may have two years to win a championship because now he has to send Giannis in his first season, Jokic in his first season, Luka about to enter his match, Wemby three years away from his prime, SGA is in his prime and I’m not sure he’s as good as those guys.
Andy Murray won three Grand Slams, but Federer overwhelmed him early and Djokovic got the better of him in the end. Murray had this small window and won three major tournaments.
He doesn’t like LeBron, he doesn’t like Steph, and he doesn’t like the old guard.
Was his window two years ago?
He’s not Giannis. Within two years, Wemby disappeared.
SGA will average at least 36 points per game next season.
Who in the league can stop him?
He’s not Clowney, he’s not Giannis Antetokounmpo, he’s not Wemby two years later, he can’t score like Luke, and he can’t score like SGA did over the next 35 games.
Beginning in 2018, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals with Tatum, Brown, and Kyrie Irving, but failed to win the championship after losing to LeBron’s Cavaliers in Game 7.
In 2020, the Celtics reached the Eastern Conference Finals again, and they entered the playoffs again. First choice to beat the Miami Heat. In 2022, Boston entered the NBA Finals very strongly. They beat the Warriors 2-1 that season but lost the final three games in the playoffs.
Jayson Tatum averaged 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game and shot 47.4% from the field. He is undoubtedly one of the top stars in the league. But without a playoff win to prove his worth, Tatum won’t be able to reach the level of his peers such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic.
The next step for Jason is to deliver on his promise when it matters most and ultimately take the Celtics to heights not reached since 2008.
The road ahead will be tough, especially with stars like Giannis and Ty Reese Haliburton on the way, but if Tatum has no chance at the moment, and if he exits the season with a championship, he may miss the opportunity to change the trade narrative.
Fans reacted as follows:
A 25 year old superstar championships widow is closing? Huh???
— Kyle Obst (@Kyle_Obst47) January 5, 2024
Tatum has had the best team every year and still has no rings😭😭
— 🐐 (@HonestKdfannn) January 5, 2024
Wait so Tatum went from 25 to 35 in one January road loss ? What 😂😂😂 the Celtics have the BEST RECORD IN THE NBA I’m bookmarking this one Colin. This gunna be the new Max Kellerman Tom Brady cliff type stuff
— Tom Sears (@LurkinTomGaming) January 5, 2024
The only reason people say this is because the Celtics with Tatum have been contending for years so it feels like it should end even though Tatum is still relatively young
— ProCy ☘️ (@ImNotProCy) January 5, 2024
He's the best player on an absolute juggernaut of a team and is just 25 years old. Something tells me he'll be just fine
— Jeff Pratt (@ByJeffPratt) January 5, 2024
Tatum came into form quicker than SGA did, must’ve confused Colin. Same age and at the moment same tier of player. Both have 6 more years of championship level play imo. I think they’ll both get one tbh
— Atlas (@redhokage_) January 5, 2024
I watched Tatum take out the Sixers in game 7 and he would have done the same to the heat if he didn't turn his ankle on that first drive of game 7 in the Eastern conference finals, he Gianni's and Embiid are gonna have a good 5 year run
— Midtown Mike (@MidtownMike22) January 5, 2024
Not bad for not being ready entering the league pic.twitter.com/VrDFVJtv0T
— Max (@lissmx14) January 5, 2024
…What?
Tatum as a 19 year old rookie started 80 regular season games and gave Boston 13 points per game and 5 rebounds per game on 47/43/82 shooting splits. Was then their leading playoff scorer and came within one game of defeating LeBron James to go to the NBA Finals.
— Braxton Reynolds (@BReynolds200) January 5, 2024
Come on Colin. The kid is 25
He’s still developing his game.
He’s had more success than most at his age.
I think Tatum is still figuring out the league and where he stands.
His window is just starting to open.
— Jorge Rivera (@RealJorgeRivera) January 5, 2024
You just put Jayson Tatum in with a bunch of players who probably never see a ring or the finals. Ant has the best shot out of them other that Tatum.
Repeatedly showcasing you know nothing about basketball. You forced all the international players into one group just to fit…
— NBA Reactz (@NBAReactz) January 5, 2024
Colin logic:
Embiid is turning 30 and has never made it to a conference final. Window is wide open.
Tatum is turning 26 and has been to 4 conference finals and one nba final. Window is closing.
😂😂😂— MoROBski (@beantownski) January 5, 2024
