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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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Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons defense in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons defense in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Improve three-point shooting

It has now become a liability in the NBA to have any player, besides a center, who can’t make an open shot from beyond the arc. Tatum has shown that he can make the three-point shot, as he converted on 34.2 percent of his attempts at Duke.

Tatum tends to struggle at shooting off of the dribble. Pick-and-roll plays made up 4.4 percent of his offense, in which he scored only 0.682 points per possession. This allows defenders to cut off lanes to the hoop by playing under the pick-and-roll, because Tatum struggles to knock down outside jumpers off of the dribble.

Also, Tatum’s shooting mechanics tend to fall apart when he is attempting a contested three. He tends to lean back, and flail his left hand to the side at times. His shooting mechanics will need to become more consistent for him to improve his three-point shot against taller NBA defenders and the deeper three-point line.

After catching the ball, Tatum is slow to gather his feet, and by the time he releases the ball, the defender has recovered enough to contest his shot. He has to work on catching the ball and getting into his shot in one fluid motion. Tatum almost seems to hesitate on open threes, which probably throws off his rhythm.

Skip to 3:17 to see Tatum’s inconsistencies in his shooting form.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

Those are the five areas that Jayson Tatum needs to improve on in his rookie season. Which area should he focus on the most?

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