Hoops Habit
Fansided

Boston Celtics: High points from the first half of the C’s season

By Justin Trombino

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Jaylen Brown #7, Daniel Theis #27, and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics react on the bench after a teammate makes a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 13: Jaylen Brown #7, Daniel Theis #27, and Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics react on the bench after a teammate makes a three pointer in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on October 13, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

The rise of Jayson Tatum

Now in his third year as a professional, Jayson Tatum has transformed into superstar status right before our eyes. He’s averaging over 23 points per game this season and has shown no signs of slowing down. Tatum and his increased production on offense and defense have been a pleasant surprise and addition for the Celtics this season. The young 22-year-old has proved to be able to carry the Boston Celtics on his shoulders when need be.

Since day one, the level of expectations from Tatum has always been high. Now that Tatum has shown he is capable of carrying his team, he has set career highs this season and it has again raised the level of expectations from him. One thing we have noticed is that Tatum doesn’t let the pressure weigh him down or hold him back.

The third-year Duke product proved the pressure isn’t too much for him to handle when he scored a career-high 41 points against the New Orleans Pelicans, and then did it again a few weeks later against the Los Angeles Lakers. Tatum has single-handedly taken over and won multiple games for the Boston Celtics this season.

Tatum solidified his hike to stardom when he went on a tear during the team’s 12 games throughout the month of February. He averaged 30.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting just under 50 percent from the field, as well as the same on his 3-point shot attempts (which is impressive seeing as he took nine attempts per game).

Related Story. Explaining Jayson Tatum's rise to stardom. light

As there seems to be no ceiling for Tatum this season, we have seen him provide the Celtics with some incredible moments throughout the year thus far. On February 13th when the Celtics took on the LA Clippers, Tatum locked down Kawhi Leonard and scored a team-high 39 points in a 141-133 double-overtime victorious thriller.

Tatum has also formed a signature move this season, the step-back-side-step 3-point shot. It’s a move that Tatum created to give himself more separation between his defender and to give him a clearer view of the basket for a better scoring opportunity.

In doing so, and in only three seasons, Tatum has already risen to be in 10th place all-time in Celtics history with 375 career made 3-point shots. He also made history this season by becoming just the fifth player in Celtics history to average at least 30 points in a calendar month (February), joining: Isaiah Thomas, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, and John Havlicek.

This season has proved that Tatum is an integral piece for the future of the Boston Celtics moving forward.

Home/Boston Celtics