What a enjoyable week of basketball. The Celtics are clearly not working at 100% capability as they gently float in the direction of the All-Star break, however that’s simply effective. We don’t want them at 100% in February, and one of the best half? They’re nonetheless discovering methods to win (and in opposition to Brooklyn it seems they discovered each strategy to win). Perhaps the most important motive is Jayson Tatum who has discovered his pull-up jumper and mixed it with one of the best playmaking stretch of his profession. Seems, that’s a reasonably efficient combo.
Stat of the Week: 6.4 assists per recreation
Over his final 10 video games, Jayson Tatum has carried out one in every 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 style approach. We are going to in all probability 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 very best half is that he’s additionally averaging 2.5 turnovers throughout that span, which is strictly in keeping with 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 effectively (as much as 2.56 from 1.92).
I don’t understand how actual that is, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily encouraging and it’s not from some unsustainable uptick in utilization both (29.7% over the last 10 and 29.4% for the season). He’s not likely passing that rather more; as a substitute, the passes he’s throwing are simpler. 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 occasions, with discovering the appropriate pass-shot combine. Lately, he’s hanging the right stability and dragging the Celtics in the direction of the All-Star break one dime at a time.
Xs and Oohhhssss: Jayson Tatum making the appropriate reads
An enormous a part of Tatum’s help soar is him making the appropriate play each single time he’s received the ball. Typically it’s a subsequent degree move 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, heading in the right direction no-look move, and it is good for 3. That’s some high-level playmaking from a budding famous person.
However in all probability the most important enchancment I’ve seen from Tatum is his potential 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 arduous hedge or entice him. Prior to now, his successes in opposition to this kind of protection usually regarded like this:
It’s fairly, nevertheless 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 always.
In opposition to good protection, he’s lengthy had a bent to choose up his dribble, unable to search out the appropriate angle to the rolling display setter. This pressured him to make a move that escaped the strain as a substitute of exploited it.
Properly, occasions change, hair grays (particularly mine), and Jayson Tatum evolves. Prior to now few weeks, he’s completely shredding groups once they put two on the ball, and even simply present assist, in opposition to him within the choose and roll. Typically it’s a straightforward move to the quick roll.
Typically it’s a foolish one-handed bounce move between two defenders to Derrick White.
He usually isn’t even credited for assists, however his gravity and resolution making is the inspiration of the Celtics’ offense at this level. Fortunately, that basis retains getting stronger.
Non-basketball Stuff of the Week: Walshyyyyyyyy
We’ve a particularly inventive and distinctive nickname for Jordan Walsh over at First to the Ground (like, fee, subscribe). We’ve 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 choose get their first minutes. It’s that pleasant combination of low expectations and unbounded optimism. If he’s unhealthy, effectively 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 received to see Jordan Walsh’s first actual, non-garbage NBA minutes, and I’m right here to say: not unhealthy. I imply, not good, but in addition not unhealthy. He flashed some fascinating stuff defensively, the shot doesn’t look damaged, and his maniacal hustle is endlessly endearing. He’s nonetheless received an extended strategy to go to present this staff actual constructive minutes, however that’s okay.
However my favourite a part of the entire expertise? It looks as if each Celtics fan feels the identical approach about him. I liked the swelling of the group 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 staff this intently is time effectively spent. I simply have one request, give me extra WALSHY!
