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Boston Celtics: 5 goals for Jayson Tatum’s rookie season

By Tevin Williams

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jayson Tatum (Duke) is introduced as the number three overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Jayson Tatum (Duke) is introduced as the number three overall pick to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Troy Trojans forward Jordon Varnado (23) go for a loose ball during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) and Troy Trojans forward Jordon Varnado (23) go for a loose ball during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Work on ball-handling

Tatum is a versatile player. He can shoot, score in the post, and play both forward positions. One area that he doesn’t seem to be very proficient is his ball-handling. He tends to stand tall and dribble high, leaving the ball exposed.

It’s hard to tell whether Tatum will best fit at the small or power forward position. If the Celtics play Tatum at small forward, he must improve his ball handling skills in order to create open looks for himself. Tatum isn’t the most explosive athlete, so he will need to improve his handles in order to blow by elite NBA wing defenders.

Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving have shown us that a player doesn’t have to possess elite athleticism to beat his opponent off of the dribble. The great news is that ball-handling ability isn’t a skill that you have to be born with in order to hone, like the explosive abilities of Russell Westbrook. Tatum can improve his dribbling through hard work in the offseason.

Skip to 4:32 in the video to see Jayson Tatum’s ball-handling ability.

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