Jayson Tatum's Rise to the Top

Euclis20

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He was just named to first team All-NBA. He is inarguably, one of the best basketball players on earth. Some people think he's not top 5, sure, but I doubt there are even few who would say he's not top 10.
For the 2nd straight year, and he was 4th in MVP voting. There will be some who says he's not top 5 if everyone is healthy (although I don't think anyone takes Durant over him anymore), but it's pretty much undeniable that he's been one of the five most productive players over the last two seasons.
 

Reverend

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I caught a few minutes of the Big Jab, Portland, ME's local sports radio morning show. They were all in a tizzy that Tatum said he was "Humbly, one of the greatest basketball players in the world."

I know sports radio is indistinguishably less conservative than conservative talk radio. But it's the truth, Tatum is one of the greatest basketball players in the world. He closed that game out in a way very few could.
He was just named to first team All-NBA. He is inarguably, one of the best basketball players on earth. Some people think he's not top 5, sure, but I doubt there are even few who would say he's not top 10.
For the 2nd straight year, and he was 4th in MVP voting. There will be some who says he's not top 5 if everyone is healthy (although I don't think anyone takes Durant over him anymore), but it's pretty much undeniable that he's been one of the five most productive players over the last two seasons.
Like hundreds of millions of people on planet Earth play or have played basketball. Even being in the NBA is basically insane.

People love it in movies when a player suddenly remembers that they’re elite and goes off.
 

lars10

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I remember when Scal said he was closer in talent to Lebron than to the fans. Then, a retired Scal, went out and toasted some good players.

At Penn State I played in some pickup games with John Amaechi.. future journeyman center in the NBA.. he’d shoot three pointers all game until someone made the mistake of trying to guard him.. at which point he’d take a few long strides to the hoop and dunk. The size difference from normal humans is the first thing you notice.. and pretty much everything else after that makes you realize you couldn’t compete against him in any way.
 

lexrageorge

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Like hundreds of millions of people on planet Earth play or have played basketball. Even being in the NBA is basically insane.

People love it in movies when a player suddenly remembers that they’re elite and goes off.
Literally every single player in the Association could make same statement as Tatum and they would be 100% correct.
 

Euclis20

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It'll get tossed back in his face the next time he has a really bad playoff game (especially if it happens on Sunday), but that mindset is why he was able to take over with 4 minutes left in their season, even in the midst of the worst shooting performance of his career. Maybe it would be easier for him if he had just thought it instead of saying it on camera, even if it is definitely true.
 

Leon Trotsky

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It'll get tossed back in his face the next time he has a really bad playoff game (especially if it happens on Sunday), but that mindset is why he was able to take over with 4 minutes left in their season, even in the midst of the worst shooting performance of his career. Maybe it would be easier for him if he had just thought it instead of saying it on camera, even if it is definitely true.
It doesn't even matter. He is right, and it is one of the qualities that does make him one of the best of the best. We were all at home or in the stands shitting all over ourselves while those guys were out there knowing what they can do and keeping their cool when things weren't going exactly their way.
 

Fishy1

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It doesn't even matter. He is right, and it is one of the qualities that does make him one of the best of the best. We were all at home or in the stands shitting all over ourselves while those guys were out there knowing what they can do and keeping their cool when things weren't going exactly their way.
Want to amplify this, because it's absolutely one of the things that most annoys me about fan culture.

The entitled rages and tantrums over whether a guy is "choking" or not and whether he "wants it enough" and what we think his late-game performances means for "his legacy" is all noise to an athlete. Like, was Tim Duncan emoting all over the court? What about Kawhi Leonard?

Some guys need to rage and whine, and others operate best by keeping their cool. To me, Tatum has just as much swagger on the court as Curry or Durant. Regardless, it's insane to me that we're still having these conversations, armchair psychologizing like we didn't learn our lesson from watching JD Drew. Each of these guys copes with the tension of the moment in their own way, and to act like every guy has to be like Jonathan Papelbon or Kevin Garnett is to silly.

Most importantly, when these guys are on the court, they've got to block out all of this nonsense: legacies and choking and our blithely judgemental perceptions of their relative emotiveness. We had a page and a half of one person rambling incoherently about how Tatum "wasn't on that level yet" and with three shots, he somehow turned that poster onto his side, and the best part is Tatum never gave a flying fuck anyway, because he's always believed in himself. "Humbly, I'm one of the best players in the world" captures his persona for me.

He believes in himself, but he also had the humility to recognize that impersonating Kobe's mid-range game was going to hold him back, so what did he do? He adjusted his game. That step-back three he hit last night was the epitome of that adjustment.
 

Montana Fan

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He said, “humbly”. This isn’t Ricky Henderson holding the base above his head stating, “I am the Greatest”, this is Tatum humbly stating that he is one of the best basketball players in the world and he expects to perform like he did. Talk radio geeks are just looking for one thing to use to entertain the masses.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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He can say whatever he wants about himself if he keeps closing games like that.

As a side note, I am taking the over on De'Anthony Melton's next deal after next season.
 

snowmanny

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Brown said the same thing in that NYT interview.

How important is making an All-N.B.A. team to you?

You want me to answer honestly?

I don’t want you to lie to me.

I think it would be deserving. We’ve been pretty dominant all season long.
Whether I’m in an All-Star Game, All-N.B.A., or whoever comes up with those decisions, is out of my control. I think I’m one of the best basketball players in the world. And I continue to go out and prove it, especially when it matters the most in the playoffs.
 

BaseballJones

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One thing about this is that if you’re that great, you let others say you’re that great. You don’t say it yourself. You just say, “I expect a lot out of myself and my team and while it was nice to finally hit some huge shots to help us win, I realize that I have to be a lot better the whole game. I hold myself to a higher standard than one good quarter.”

But whatever. It is what it is and I’ll never ever be anywhere near the world’s best at anything. So what do I know?
 

slamminsammya

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One thing about this is that if you’re that great, you let others say you’re that great. You don’t say it yourself. You just say, “I expect a lot out of myself and my team and while it was nice to finally hit some huge shots to help us win, I realize that I have to be a lot better the whole game. I hold myself to a higher standard than one good quarter.”

But whatever. It is what it is and I’ll never ever be anywhere near the world’s best at anything. So what do I know?
Is this first paragraph what you think the world should be like or is it supposed to be a description?
 

djbayko

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His statement didn't make me cringe like it would have were it someone else. First, he's always been a little shy in front of the cameras, as far as superstars go, so he's going to fumble words every now and then. It's more endearing than anything. Secondly, he's pretty clearly demonstrated over the years that he is very humble...again, as superstars go. I think we know what he meant here, and his purpose wasn't to brag about how great he is, but rather to express how he expects more from himself and that he has to keep pushing in difficult times.
 

snowmanny

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The fact that Brown and Tatum used the same language (“I am one
of the best basketball players in the world”) makes me wonder if someone is drilling that in their heads. Not a bad thing when the team has been derailed by a too tentative approach at times.
 

InstaFace

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He said, “humbly”. This isn’t Ricky Henderson holding the base above his head stating, “I am the Greatest”, this is Tatum humbly stating that he is one of the best basketball players in the world and he expects to perform like he did. Talk radio geeks are just looking for one thing to use to entertain the masses.
Agreed.

And, the "humbly" part of his statement is reflected in the fact that he knows he still has to earn that status as one of the best by busting his ass, on and off the court, every day. That the competition is only a tick behind him and if he lets up, they'll catch him. That's the nature of being a professional athlete, even an elite one. We've all known pro athletes who can't be bothered with one part of the game or another, or who after a while in their career kinda coast, either on the court or off it. As long as Tatum is working his ass off, I'll grant him both the "one of the best basketball players", and the "humbly", even if it sounds odd for him to phrase it that way.
 

Auger34

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The fact that Brown and Tatum used the same language (“I am one
of the best basketball players in the world”) makes me wonder if someone is drilling that in their heads. Not a bad thing when the team has been derailed by a too tentative approach at times.
This was my reaction too. I saw the interview live and it didn’t seem arrogant at all. It honestly seemed like he was almost saying it out loud to convince himself of something he was thinking.

Also, he’s 100% right. I mean, Justin Champagnie could be interviewed and say the same thing and he’d be 100% right too. Making it in the NBA is really fucking tough. If you’re on a roster, you are one of the best players in the world (humbly)
 

Deathofthebambino

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I remember when Scal said he was closer in talent to Lebron than to the fans. Then, a retired Scal, went out and toasted some good players.

I love these videos. When a guy like Rob Oppenheim shows up to play golf, everyone hears there's a Tour Pro there, and every scratch golfer in the vicinity wants a piece. Most of them hit it further than Rob, but about 5-6 holes in, you see them realize they aren't even playing the same sport he is. He's probably top 250-500 in the world over the past 15 years (although I guess having your PGA Tour card 4 times means you've been better than that for brief stretches). He just doesn't make bogeys playing course set ups that we play. He makes bogeys playing from 7,500 yards, with rough that's 6 inches deep and the greens rolling at a 13.

People playing any sport on the professional level are simply put, mutant talented compared to everyone else. It's simply a different sport at that level. I have a friend that was one of the best pool players in Massachusetts, and probably still is (a 7 handicap, one of the few around here back in the 90's/00's). Jeannette Lee, the Black Widow, would only play him when she came to Boston for an event. I've seen this guy run 20 consecutive tables without a miss. He could run 10 straight against her in about 30 minutes, and he would finally miss, and then he'd never get another shot, before she decided a couple hours later that she was done playing.
 

Ed Hillel

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Context matters. He was asked why he still had confidence to shoot in the big moments after having shot horribly all game. He said he believes in himself and his ability as an elite all world player. Big whoop.
 

TripleOT

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Tatum’s playoff success from his rookie year on should speak for itself. Can anyone who watches him closely truly be surprised that he splashed four threes in Philly to grab this series by its throat? He’s not going to get his due until his team wins a title. That’s the standard for a Celtic great, and I’m okay with it.

The local pundits are morons. A couple of days ago, I had the misfortune of having Boston sports radio on in the car, and some idiot was trying to trash Tatum by listing other stars who won titles before age 25. Everyone he listed happened to be playing with at least one other HoFer, but that fact didn’t seem to come up.

Some other gems: Tatum is not a top ten player (Just made first team all-NBA again)

Tatum isn’t clutch. (Ridiculous clutch time stats)

Tatum isn’t on track to be an all time Celtics great.(His individual stats at this point in his career are right up there with Bird and Havlicek and Pierce for non-bigs)

Tatum is a one dimensional ball hog (assists per game up every season, along with points and rebounds. Can defend 1-4)

Tatum isn’t mentally tough (ask 2023 Philly Game 6 attendees)

Boston has the perfect wing for today’s game, seemingly built from age 13 to be an NBA superstar. If I was starting a NBA franchise, he probably would be my first pick. I’m looking forward to him destroying the Sixers Sunday.
 

Mystic Merlin

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His statement didn't make me cringe like it would have were it someone else. First, he's always been a little shy in front of the cameras, as far as superstars go, so he's going to fumble words every now and then. It's more endearing than anything. Secondly, he's pretty clearly demonstrated over the years that he is very humble...again, as superstars go. I think we know what he meant here, and his purpose wasn't to brag about how great he is, but rather to express how he expects more from himself and that he has to keep pushing in difficult times.
Ba-bingo.

It felt like a guy exclaiming ‘you know what? I’m good, and that’ll bear out if I keep working’ rather than chest-puffing. I was encouraged by it.
 

reggiecleveland

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His statement didn't make me cringe like it would have were it someone else. First, he's always been a little shy in front of the cameras, as far as superstars go, so he's going to fumble words every now and then. It's more endearing than anything. Secondly, he's pretty clearly demonstrated over the years that he is very humble...again, as superstars go. I think we know what he meant here, and his purpose wasn't to brag about how great he is, but rather to express how he expects more from himself and that he has to keep pushing in difficult times.
If these guys didn't think they were great they wouldn't approach greatness.
I hate when they ask former players how they would do, they will say they woiuld still dominate. It's in their DNA. Pierce still believes he was better than LBJ which is silly, but he never would have outplayed Lebron a single game if he didn't believe it.
 

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Context matters. He was asked why he still had confidence to shoot in the big moments after having shot horribly all game. He said he believes in himself and his ability as an elite all world player. Big whoop.
Yes - in a way he was actually downplaying his 4th quarter.
 

Devizier

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At Penn State I played in some pickup games with John Amaechi.. future journeyman center in the NBA.. he’d shoot three pointers all game until someone made the mistake of trying to guard him.. at which point he’d take a few long strides to the hoop and dunk. The size difference from normal humans is the first thing you notice.. and pretty much everything else after that makes you realize you couldn’t compete against him in any way.
I remember old, fat, post-coaching ML Carr would destroy people in Waltham. Fun to watch.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Context matters. He was asked why he still had confidence to shoot in the big moments after having shot horribly all game. He said he believes in himself and his ability as an elite all world player. Big whoop.
I don't care about the context. This is the attitude I want the best player on the team to have. People say he's too passive. I want him shouting from the rooftops that he's one of the best players in the world.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Boston has the perfect wing for today’s game, seemingly built from age 13 to be an NBA superstar. If I was starting a NBA franchise, he probably would be my first pick. I’m looking forward to him destroying the Sixers Sunday.
Given age, yeah JT would ptobably be my first pick too.

He'd be my first pick as a fan too. I keep thinking howvlucky we are as fans to have 2 top players who have insane wirk habits, great character (as far as we know), and play both ends of the court. There are plenty of stars in this league that don't do all three and it would harder to root for them. Lucky I don't have to go through that experience.
 

billy ashley

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I'm so glad I don't listen to sports radio. Yikes. As everyone has said, anyone in the NBA is among the best players in the world. Beyond that, we're talking about a guy who hasn't really "gone off" in the playoffs this postseason and he's still averaging 26 points, 10 boards and 5 assists a game.

Folks are looking for reasons to be mad.
 

JakeRae

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This team isn’t changing coaches again, no matter what happens this postseason. Also, Tatum is much closer to Bird than he is to Pierce (neither player is really a great comp). Durant remains the best comp in terms of playing style and performance I can think of, with Tatum being not quite at Durant’s level. Their career trajectories are very similar though, not just their games.

View attachment 64333
Quoting myself for emphasis.
 

reggiecleveland

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I said I was impressed most of all by coming back last game, but wow

He was really patient early then took good shots all game.

High hopes for the rest of the way
 

lovegtm

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The adjustment to get Embiid on him was huge, but he had to execute to make it work....and man, did he execute.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Additionally, Rivers was teammates with Dominique Wilkins when he dropped 47 in a losing effort against the Celtics in Game 7 of the Conference Semis in '88.

I'll cut him some slack since his emotions must be all over the place while he ponders his next gig.
yeah but Tatum played defense, passed to his teammates, and won…unlike Dominique
 

SteveF

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I think Doc almost meant that as the ultimate compliment. I mean, the guy just indirectly compared Tatum to LeBron.
 

Eddie Jurak

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He's running away with the franchise record for 50-point games - he has 8 now. Five in the regular season, two in the playoffs, one in a play-in game which for some stupid reason counts as neither.