What a enjoyable week of basketball. The Celtics are clearly not working at 100% capability as they gently float in direction of the All-Star break, however that’s simply advantageous. We don’t want them at 100% in February, and the most effective half? They’re nonetheless discovering methods to win (and towards Brooklyn it seems they discovered each option to win). Perhaps the most important motive is Jayson Tatum who has discovered his pull-up jumper and mixed it with the most effective playmaking stretch of his profession. Seems, that’s a fairly efficient combo.
Stat of the Week: 6.4 assists per recreation
Over his final 10 video games, Jayson Tatum has finished considered one of two issues. He’s both developed some kind of novel echolocation which permits him to grasp the geometry of a protection higher than earlier than, or he’s getting extra comfy studying defenses the old school manner. We’ll most likely by no means know which it’s, however one factor is for sure, that dude is playmaking at a degree he’s by no means touched earlier than.
In his final 10 video games, Tatum is averaging 6.4 assists per recreation, which is up from his season common of 4.8. The perfect half is that he’s additionally averaging 2.5 turnovers throughout that span, which is precisely according to his season common of two.5. Placing on my math glasses (they’re barely bigger than my driving glasses however smaller than my studying glasses), which means his help to turnover ratio has climbed fairly considerably as nicely (as much as 2.56 from 1.92).
I don’t understand how actual that is, however it’s extraordinarily encouraging and it’s not from some unsustainable uptick in utilization both (29.7% over the past 10 and 29.4% for the season). He’s probably not passing that rather more; as a substitute, the passes he’s throwing are more practical. He’s discovering guys in harmful positions and placing the passes in capturing pockets for clear jumpers. Tatum has at all times had excessive degree playmaking in his repertoire, however he’s struggled, at instances, with discovering the suitable pass-shot combine. Just lately, he’s placing the right steadiness and dragging the Celtics in direction of the All-Star break one dime at a time.
Xs and Oohhhssss: Jayson Tatum making the suitable reads
A giant a part of Tatum’s help leap is him making the suitable play each single time he’s obtained the ball. Typically it’s a subsequent degree go the place he slings it cross-court to an open shooter.
And typically it’s simply doing the easy factor, like discovering Jaylen posting up a mismatch.
Or when KP has deep place.
He’s additionally gotten actually good at utilizing his head and eyes to control the protection.
On this play, he tracks the roll man (KP) along with his eyes. That delicate focus pulls within the nook assist onto KP and opens up Al for a nook three. On time, on the right track no-look go, and it is good for 3. That’s some high-level playmaking from a budding famous person.
However most likely the most important enchancment I’ve seen from Tatum is his capacity to hit the roll man. Tatum is so good at attacking defenses when he’s performed straight up, particularly out of the pick-and-roll, that groups don’t do it anymore. As a substitute, they usually put two on the ball and both onerous hedge or lure him. Previously, his successes towards such a protection usually regarded like this:
It’s fairly, however it’s additionally horrible protection from the Hawks. Higher groups gained’t permit a 6’9” man to snake the pick-and-roll all that usually.
In opposition to good protection, he’s lengthy had a bent to choose up his dribble, unable to seek out the suitable angle to the rolling display screen setter. This compelled him to make a go that escaped the stress as a substitute of exploited it.
Effectively, instances change, hair grays (particularly mine), and Jayson Tatum evolves. Previously few weeks, he’s completely shredding groups once they put two on the ball, and even simply present assist, towards him within the decide and roll. Typically it’s a simple go to the brief roll.
Typically it’s a foolish one-handed bounce go between two defenders to Derrick White.
He usually isn’t even credited for assists, however his gravity and determination making is the muse of the Celtics’ offense at this level. Fortunately, that basis retains getting stronger.
Non-basketball Stuff of the Week: Walshyyyyyyyy
We have now a particularly inventive and distinctive nickname for Jordan Walsh over at First to the Flooring (like, charge, subscribe). We have now dubbed him “Walshy.” I do know, wordplay so intelligent Lil’ Wayne’s jaw would drop.
There’s simply one thing intoxicating about watching a late draft decide get their first minutes. It’s that pleasant combination of low expectations and unbounded optimism. If he’s dangerous, nicely it doesn’t actually matter. But when he’s good, then Brad Stevens has simply uncovered a professional rotational piece successfully out of skinny air.
We lastly obtained to see Jordan Walsh’s first actual, non-garbage NBA minutes, and I’m right here to say: not dangerous. I imply, not good, but in addition not dangerous. He flashed some attention-grabbing stuff defensively, the shot doesn’t look damaged, and his maniacal hustle is endlessly endearing. He’s nonetheless obtained an extended option to go to provide this group actual optimistic minutes, however that’s okay.
However my favourite a part of the entire expertise? It looks like each Celtics fan feels the identical manner about him. I liked the swelling of the gang noise each time he touched the ball, the palpable pleasure when he saved that ball from going out of bounds. That is the kind of stuff that makes basketball so enjoyable to observe, why following a group this intently is time nicely spent. I simply have one request, give me extra WALSHY!