NBA: 10 candidates to be 1st-time All-Stars in 2019-20
3. Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics
Where to land on Jayson Tatum‘s development and future is a moving target, fueled by hype and disappointment. A strong rookie season had many jumping on the All-Star bandwagon a year ago, only for Tatum to struggle with shot selection and accuracy as part of an overall Boston Celtics failure of a season.
Is Tatum on a less-linear development curve than expected? Will he take another big step forward this season? Boston fans certainly hope so, and that’s the most likely outcome. He could also be a one-hit wonder, a player who excited as a rookie but never put together the next step in his career. That is less likely, but still a lurking possibility.
Tatum has all of the pieces of a great NBA wing, with the size and smooth shot to play both ends of the court at either forward position. He projects to have the confidence and ability to take and make tough shots when necessary, but he also needs to dial down his comfort level taking them instead of fighting to the rim.
He is a gifted finisher, but last year shied away from such shots all too often.
This season is rightfully filled with optimism, both for Tatum and a Celtics season ready to wash out the bad taste of last year’s team. Tatum benefits from the relatively more open field in the Eastern Conference, and a breakout season could mean the first of many All-Star berths for the wing.