3 bold expectations for Celtics wing Jayson Tatum in the 2019-20 NBA season

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3 bold expectations for Celtics wing Jayson Tatum in the 2019-20 NBA season




by Matthew Schmidt

September 20, 2019



With Kyrie Irving and Al Horford gone, Jayson Tatum is taking center stage as one of the Boston Celtics’ featured stars heading into the 2019-20 NBA season, much like he did during the 2018 playoffs.

Tatum was expected by many to bust out this past season. While he was solid, he did not have the type of year many expected, which played a role in what was a very disappointing season for the Celtics overall.

But with a cleaner locker room and more freedom, Tatum could be in for a true breakout year.

Here are three expectations for Tatum this coming season.


3. Average 4 free-throw attempts per game
For as talented of a scorer as Jayson Tatum is, he shot just 2.9 free throws per game this past year. That’s just not enough.

As a matter of fact, that number was down from the 3.2 foul shots he averaged during his rookie campaign.

Tatum is long, athletic and can create a whole lot of mismatches as a result, whether that means posting up a smaller player or taking a big off of the dribble.

There is no reason why Tatum shouldn’t be getting to the charity stripe at least four times a night, and that’s actually a bit conservative. He really should get there five times per game in 2019-20, but let’s take it one step at a time.


The thing is, Tatum hits his foul shots when he gets there. He shot 85.5 percent from the line in 2018-19, and during his rookie year, he made 82.6 percent of his free throws. Imagine what getting to the stripe more will do for his scoring.


2. Shoot 39 percent from 3-point range
I could say 40 percent, but that would be asking a bit too much seeing as how Jayson Tatum’s volume is likely to increase this year.

Tatum did make 43.4 percent of his triples during his rookie year, but this past season, that number dipped to 37.3 percent. That’s still good, but it’s obviously a step back from what he did during his first year in the league.

The 21-year-old has a very smooth stroke, so it would not be a shock if he made 40 percent of his triples during the 2019-20 campaign. But because he shot 37.3 percent this past year and, again, will likely be shooting the ball more, 39 percent seems like a more realistic goal.


1. Average 18 points per game
While Irving and Horford have departed, the Celtics did bring in Kemba Walker. Let’s also remember that Gordon Hayward will likely be a heck of a lot better this season now that he has a full year of recovery under his belt.

Not only that, but Jaylen Brown will likely get his shots, and Enes Kanter is always an offensive threat.

Taking all of that into consideration, we shouldn’t expect Tatum to average 20 points per game. 18 points per game definitely seems reachable, though, as he registered 15.7 points per game this past year.

The key is how Tatum gets those points. If he can average 18 points on great efficiency, that’s fantastic.


Tatum’s efficiency thus far has been very impressive for such a young player, as he boasts a true shooting percentage of 56.5 percent. That number should increase this season.



bob
MY NOTE: Who says 'no'? But are there any others?


.

6 trips to the charity stripe per game.
40 percent at the three point line.
20 points per game.

The first and third are doable, especially if he gets some respect from the refs.
The second is on him.

I'll take the over.

gyso wrote:6 trips to the charity stripe per game.
40 percent at the three point line.
20 points per game.

The first and third are doable, especially if he gets some respect from the refs.
The second is on him.

I'll take the over.

That would be great +1

He has to relish taking the contact ala Paul Pierce. He never got the calls and at times could have went up stronger, as long as he does that, young players don’t get the calls, hopefully refs should give him more respect.

And stop whining about it when he gets called for a foul. Ref’s were sick of his act last season. Here’s hoping he has grown up a lot with the experience overseas. Jerry Colangelo said today in a story that the USA would have won with Tatum healthy and playing. I wonder???

Been away for a week in Gyso country (Maine). Beautiful up there, hated to return, and went crazy because where I was staying had no WiFi so I could not even check on Celtic news regularly. What a world we have become!!!!

Right a lot of times he was barely touched and still whined, he definitely has the game/ability to get to the line a lot more, as does Jaylen. Both these kids need to take next step up in efficiency, if we can’t win with 3 wings this good that all take a step up, then there is something wrong with the wing dominated concept or BS is doing something wrong.

Agreed Cowens/OldSchool. I don't have anything to back up what I'm about to say but it seemed last year both he and Kyrie were the masters (and I use that sarcastically) of driving to the hoop and either scoring and not getting fouled or not getting fouled on the drive. Paul Pierce, as mentioned, was the master of point maximization there. Perhaps some time in the film room with the man himself would help!

db

I think if you run more p n r with him up top he will have more opportunities to attack off of screens.

Both him and Jaylen need to spend more time up top which is really the ideal position to be in.

Brad get those guys out of the corners more.