LeBron James recently praised Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics’ All-Star forward, for his remarkable career achievements at a young age. Despite being only 25 years old, Tatum has already reached the conference finals four times and made one NBA Finals appearance. LeBron compared this to his own career, noting that he didn’t win his first championship until he was 28, and other greats like Nikola Jokic and Michael Jordan achieved their first titles later in their careers.
The track record
Tatum’s consistent high-level performance since joining the league has been impressive. As a rookie, he played a key role in leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals, averaging 18.5 points per game in the postseason. He has never missed the playoffs and has only lost in the first round once in his seven-year NBA career. Although he hasn’t won a championship yet, his track record of success before turning 26 is truly elite. LeBron highlighted Tatum’s continuous growth and expressed optimism that the Celtics are positioned to make another title run this year.
The growth
In addition, Tatum’s development has been evident this season, with his improved decision-making and quicker reads on the court. He is averaging 27.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and a career-high 4.9 assists per game. Some of this growth may be attributed to the Celtics’ change in personnel, notably the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, which has emphasized playing unselfishly. Tatum’s usage rate this season is the lowest since his second year in the league, indicating a more team-oriented approach.
Jayson Tatum: "The world thinks we're never supposed to lose and win every game by 25. It's not going to be like that all the time. … I like to think we respond pretty well when we do lose."
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) May 10, 2024
The team
Furthermore, the Celtics’ recent victory over the Detroit Pistons showcased their depth and ability to seamlessly integrate different players into the lineup. Despite key players like Tatum and Jrue Holiday being absent, the Celtics won the game convincingly, with Jaylen Brown scoring 31 points and Derrick White recording his first career triple double. This ability to adapt and perform well despite missing key players is a cause for concern for other teams in the league.
As Tatum continues to make waves in the NBA, all eyes will be on his progress and the Celtics’ potential for success in the playoffs.
