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 high quality. We don’t want them at 100% in February, and the very best half? They’re nonetheless discovering methods to win (and in opposition to Brooklyn it seems they discovered each approach to win). Perhaps the most important purpose is Jayson Tatum who has discovered his pull-up jumper and mixed it with the very best playmaking stretch of his profession. Seems, that’s a fairly efficient combo.
Stat of the Week: 6.4 assists per sport
Over his final 10 video games, Jayson Tatum has performed one in all two issues. He’s both developed some form 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 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 sport, 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 strictly 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 effectively (as much as 2.56 from 1.92).
I don’t know the way 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 an alternative, the passes he’s throwing are simpler. He’s discovering guys in harmful positions and placing the passes in taking pictures pockets for clear jumpers. Tatum has all the time had excessive degree playmaking in his repertoire, however he’s struggled, at occasions, with discovering the best pass-shot combine. Not too long ago, he’s placing the proper steadiness and dragging the Celtics in the direction of the All-Star break one dime at a time.
Xs and Oohhhssss: Jayson Tatum making the best reads
An enormous a part of Tatum’s help soar is him making the best play each single time he’s received the ball. Generally it’s a subsequent degree go the place he slings it cross-court to an open shooter.
And typically it’s simply doing the straightforward 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 refined 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 celebrity.
However in all probability the most important enchancment I’ve seen from Tatum is his capability 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 typically put two on the ball and both onerous hedge or entice him. Previously, his successes in opposition to this kind of protection typically appeared like this:
It’s fairly, however it’s additionally horrible protection from the Hawks. Higher groups gained’t enable 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 best angle to the rolling display screen setter. This pressured him to make a go that escaped the strain as an alternative of exploited it.
Nicely, occasions 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, in opposition to him within the choose and roll. Generally it’s a straightforward go to the brief roll.
Generally it’s a foolish one-handed bounce go between two defenders to Derrick White.
He typically isn’t even credited for assists, however his gravity and choice 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’ve got a particularly inventive and distinctive nickname for Jordan Walsh over at First to the Ground (like, charge, subscribe). We’ve got 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 dangerous, effectively it doesn’t actually matter. But when he’s good, then Brad Stevens has simply uncovered a legit 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 dangerous. I imply, not good, but in addition not dangerous. He flashed some fascinating stuff defensively, the shot doesn’t look damaged, and his maniacal hustle is endlessly endearing. He’s nonetheless received a protracted approach to go to offer this group actual optimistic 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 beloved 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 look at, why following a group this intently is time effectively spent. I simply have one request, give me extra WALSHY!
