Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Jayson Tatum is becoming the man in Boston.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Scott G Winterton/Deseret News.)
Well, I don’t know who saw this coming. Probably the Celtics fans. But Jayson Tatum has suddenly become the man in Boston. He’s suddenly become a nearly unstoppable force on the offensive end in a matter of weeks. Everyone has obviously noticed that he’s gone to the next level but I mean, let’s look at his monthly production:
(Data from Basketball Reference.)
The jump is pretty ridiculous. But you can see it by just watching him. He looks so confident and yet looks so nonplussed by the competition around him. He’s got a growing array of moves. That game against the Lakers was pretty much his coming out party. He scored 41 points in that national TV game.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to make of Tatum. Was he going to peak as a third scorer for a good team? Even as the #3 pick in the draft? How was he going to fit in a team that included stars like Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Isaiah Thomas? Was the crown going to be given to Jaylen Brown eventually? Then this season, they added Kemba Walker. Yet here’s Tatum, looking like some sort of second coming of Kobe with the month he’s having.
And the thing is that the Celtics are winning, too. Boston is 10-2 in February and they just finished an impressive 3-1 road trip (with the only loss coming to the Lakers). Now with THIS jump by Tatum, maybe we really SHOULD take the Celtics seriously.
I know we talked about both Tatum and Brown making the jump two weeks ago. But it seems like Tatum has made the bigger leap amongst the two. Maybe they planned for Tatum to be the guy all along. Nevertheless, I’m sure the Celtics couldn’t be happier with the way things are turning out. Also, Tatum is only turning 22 this coming Tuesday. Holy hell, that is scary.
Weren’t we just comparing Tatum to Kyle Kuzma not too long ago?
Bullet Passes
Joel Embiid left the game against the Cavaliers with a sprained shoulder. Man, it’s just not going well for the Sixers. I suppose that’s an understatement. Back to the process we go for the next few weeks.
I wonder how much Dwyane Wade would give this dunk:
(VIDEO CREDIT: NBA BandWagon Fan.)
That’s a hell of a 360 by Aaron Gordon.
It’s a little weird when it’s UNDERwhelming that Bradley Beal scored 30 points. Of course, after you go for 53 and 55…
Man, with Jaren Jackson, Jr. out for a little bit, it’s going to be quite tough for Memphis to stay in that 8th spot. Can the Blazers, Pelicans, Kings, Spurs, and Suns… wait. THAT IS A LOT OF COMPETITION GOING FOR THE 8TH SEED. The Suns, who are furthest behind, are 4.5 games behind the Grizz.
What’s wrong, Miami? Also, what’s wrong, Utah?
This whole thing about the Clippers being 5-0 with a full roster is something. Because how many teams actually play a full roster for like a quarter of the season. (I know some people might shut me up about this later.)
The Scoreboard
NY 101 (17-41) @ CHA 107 (20-38)
PHI 94 (36-23) @ CLE 108 (17-41)
BRK 106 (26-31) @ WAS 110 (21-36)
ORL 130 (26-32) @ ATL 120 (17-43)
MIN 129 (17-40) @ MIA 126 (36-22)
MEM 112 (28-30) @ HOU 140 (38-20)
DAL 109 (36-23) @ SA 103 (24-33)
LAC 102 (39-19) @ PHX 92 (24-35)
BOS 114 (41-17) @ UTA 103 (36-22)
Watch This Play
Good gosh, Dennis Smith, Jr.
(VIDEO CREDIT: ClutchPoints.)
That’s why we envied his 97-inch vert. Good grief.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
I sign off “GG” which means “good game” but also to honor Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.