The key to Jayson Tatum's breakout season that's not being talked about

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/key-jayson-tatums-breakout-season-213341326.html




The key to Jayson Tatum's breakout season that's not being talked about




A. Sherrod Blakely, NBC Sports Boston

16 hours ago




BOSTON - Practice was over and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was nowhere in sight.

The 6-foot-9 forward headed straight to the weight room immediately after the team's post-practice huddle broke up.

Trying to bulk up a little bit, huh?

"Something like that," Tatum said with a grin.

It makes sense for Tatum to try and get bigger in what many anticipate will be a really big, breakout-type season for the third-year forward.

And while much of the attention Tatum has drawn in the past often focused on his scoring, Tatum's improvement defensively may be what takes his overall game to another level this season.

While no one expects Tatum's defensive rating in the preseason (69.1) to hold up once the regular season starts, it is clear that he's focused on elevating his play at that end of the floor akin to what we saw during his rookie season.

Acquired via trade with the Sixers on draft night in 2017, Tatum's penchant for scoring was evident from Day One.

But with a roster that included Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford in addition to Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart, Tatum wisely figured out early that scoring was not going to get him on the floor as a rookie.

So the only way he would see time, was to prove his worth to head coach Brad Stevens as a defender, which Tatum readily admits was a bit of an adjustment for a variety of reasons.

"It's a lot of things you have to learn," Tatum said in an exclusive interview with NBC Sports Boston. "It's a whole new system, new terminology, a whole new way to guard …  everybody in the NBA is so much more talented, so you have to pay attention to the scouting report. It's a different ball game when you come from college. you really have to focus and pay attention to all the details."

It certainly worked for Tatum during his first year in Boston.

"Jayson Tatum's defense is beyond his years," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said in 2017, Tatum's rookie season. "He's very savvy. He's very long. He uses his length; his arms are out and he gets his hands on balls, deflects passes and discourages drives just because of his length. So, I think he'll continue to get better and better."

He was one of just three rookie forwards (Philadelphia's Ben Simmons and Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers were the others) in 2017 who averaged at least 30 minutes of court time, with Tatum's defensive rating of 100.8 being the best among the group.

But last season, one in which Tatum was being looked upon to be significantly more of a scorer, he averaged more points (15.7 compared to 13.9 as a rookie) but saw his defensive rating slip to 105.1.

Part of Tatum's process now when it comes to improving as a defender, is to improve his strength.

Since arriving in Boston, Tatum estimates he's gained about 10 pounds of muscle and now weighs 215 pounds.

We have seen the added strength at work during his time with Team USA as well as what he has done in the preseason with the Celtics.

But that added weight will also benefit him as a defender, with Tatum likely to play both forward positions this season and potentially some center depending on the opposing team's lineup.

"I'm trying to be the best player I can be," Tatum said. "Just trying to make a bigger jump from year to year and be a better version of myself."

Indeed, Tatum's statistics improved in several categories last season. In fact, most of his numbers were similar to Toronto's Pascal Siakam who was named the NBA's Most Improved Player last season.

But Tatum's play last season, while better statistically in a number of categories in comparison to his first season, was roundly criticized in many circles and viewed as underachieving in others.

Tatum has said on more than one occasion that he didn't play his best basketball a year ago, and is determined to make amends for that with what he and Celtics Nation are hoping will be a breakout system.

And the best way to do that is to make strides towards becoming a more complete, two-way talent for Boston.  

"I want to be one of the best players on both ends of the court," Tatum said.



bob
MY NOTE:  He was getting thrown around a bit "like a rag doll", to use a common phrase by Cowens, by bigger players in his first two years.  I don't know if 10 pounds is enough, he is taller now, he's 6'8" now but that's in bare feet whereas his original 6'8" was including sneakers, but you can gain only so much weight per year before it hurts you more than it helps.  On the bright side the extra muscle should get him to the line more often with +1s because he'll be able to absorb and play through contact better.


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It was noticeable that Jason looks thicker as does Jaylen.  It takes a few years to transform your body.  

Finishing through contact and holding your position on defense are areas where both have improved.

I tend to speak of them in a more singular way because they are only a year apart, both drafted at #3, both high character guys.  The type of players that you should build your team around.

Bob I have used that rag doll description, but never on Tatum....

I’d like to see Tatum get up to 225-230 in a few years. He has enough of a frame that he could handle that weight and still have his quickness and speed. At his age, if you train correctly, the added functional muscle can make you faster and stronger. The more strength, hopefully will lead to better durability which will be essential for any primary scoring option, which Tatum has the tools/fundamentals to be.

Over analysis...

Tatum doesn't need to be bigger. His speed and agility at his current size more than makes up for bulk.

Cookie cutter thinking seldom wins championships or develops great players.

NYCelt wrote:Over analysis...

Tatum doesn't need to be bigger. His speed and agility at his current size more than makes up for bulk.

Cookie cutter thinking seldom wins championships or develops great players.

Really...??? Look at pics of young Jordan and Lebron from their rookie years, then look at pics of them when they won a championship. It’s a physical draining game, adding strength and size can be a good thing....

Paul George was 214 LBS when he got drafted back in 2010.

NBA players that are teenagers when they are drafted are going to put on weight and they are going to get stronger.

I used PG as an example because he had a similar physical profile as Tatum did.

Tatum is going to add weight as he gets older.  PG is listed at 220 LBS.  Tatum will easily get up to 220 LBS and part of that is natural.  

There is no way for anyone to determine how more weight will impact him.  

Jason Tatum is 21 years young.

I believe that Tatum does need to add both weight and strength.  That should be pretty obvious.  That is what the Celtics want him to do and he is in fact working towards that goal.

Again he was a teenager when they drafted him.  His physical development was always an expectation