Jayson Tatum expressed complete agreement with Gordon Hayward regarding the 2018-19 Boston Celtics. Despite starting the season with high championship expectations, the team fell short and faced a disappointing one-win, second-round playoff series loss. Tatum candidly described the season as “terrible,” acknowledging that despite the team’s undeniable talent, the chemistry didn’t align as anticipated. He emphasized the challenges of players returning from injuries and striving to prove themselves, including his own ambition to surpass previous performances. Tatum acknowledged the difficulties of that season but highlighted the lessons learned as everyone moved forward.
What Gordon Hayward said about the 2018-19 Boston Celtics
Hayward expressed his frustrations regarding the 2018-19 Celtics in a more straightforward manner than Tatum did, but during the “Podcast P” show, he addressed the team’s issues directly. In the interview with fellow NBA player Paul George, Hayward admitted that the team had too many individual agendas, with the primary goal of winning the championship not being the main focus. He emphasized that he wasn’t blaming anyone, attributing it to human nature.
According to Hayward, there were too many players in similar positions, all vying for the ball and seeking individual success rather than prioritizing the team’s overall success. The hope is that winning a championship with Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way would signify a clear departure from the challenges faced by that underperforming team. However, until such a victory occurs, there’s a legitimate concern about whether the 2018-19 roster hindered the progress of Tatum and Brown in their journey towards becoming championship-level superstars.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are turning their backs for the Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown, the forward for the Boston Celtics, is currently showcasing some of the finest performances in his basketball career. Simultaneously, Jayson Tatum is experiencing his most efficient season to date. While there are various factors contributing to their stellar performances, a notable aspect is their effective utilization of midrange shots.
The proficiency demonstrated by both players in capitalizing on midrange opportunities is a source of great satisfaction for fans and observers.
The whole floor is now a weapon for the Boston Celtics duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown
About a year ago, I advocated for Tatum and Brown to enhance their game by incorporating midrange shots more prominently. The objective was not only to opt for more efficient shots but also to shift away from an excessive reliance on three-pointers. This offensive strategy proved detrimental to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost their long-range accuracy while the Miami Heat excelled from beyond the arc, leading to an embarrassing outcome.
Although we are only midway through the current season, it appears that the lesson has been heeded. The Jays are now more formidable than ever, partly due to their improved utilization of the midrange game.
In a brief analysis comparing their shot charts from the previous season to the current one (excluding shots at the rim), both Brown and Tatum have elevated their shooting percentages within the 3-point line. Brown’s percentage increased from .467 to .477, and Tatum’s rose from .406 to .429.
While Brown’s 10-percentage-point increase may not seem drastic, a higher proportion of his shots are now two-pointers, up from .648 to .654. Over time, this shift is likely to accumulate.
Contrastingly, Tatum is taking slightly fewer two-pointers compared to last year, decreasing from .560 to .557. However, with Tatum enhancing his midrange shooting percentage by 23 percentage points, there is a case for encouraging more midrange attempts. His accuracy has notably improved in four out of five zones.
The on-court results are visually pleasing. Brown displays confidence in his turnaround shot, posting up against almost any defender. In a game against the Orlando Magic, he adeptly positioned Wendell Carter on his back before effortlessly sinking two turnaround jump shots over the 6-10 center, both swishing through the net.
Tatum, capable of similar maneuvers, exhibits the satisfaction of overpowering a smaller defender from inside the 3-point line to the paint, concluding with a smooth finish off the glass.
The effectiveness of these opportunities is, in part, attributed to the surrounding team dynamics for the Jays. Kristaps Porzingis appears to be a perfect fit for the Celtics, adding a three-point threat and opening up the floor in ways that Robert Williams III couldn’t.
Williams, though impactful defensively, had a game primarily centered around the rim, making it easy for defenders to help off him when Brown or Tatum attacked the rim. Derrick White contributes to the team as a significant floor spacer, performing at an all-star level on both ends of the court and overshadowing the memories of Marcus Smart.
Speaking of Smart, despite being the heart and soul of the Celtics for nine years, his offensive reliability was questionable. Opposing teams often dared him to shoot threes, diverting defensive attention away from Brown or Tatum.
Jrue Holiday, another floor spacer, combines tough defense with reliable shooting, creating ample space in and around the paint when all five players on the floor can shoot threes.
While the allure of a three-centric approach is strong, as evident in wins over the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers, the Celtics have demonstrated the ability to secure victories without solely relying on deep shots. Their methodical approach in putting away the Los Angeles Lakers down the stretch serves as a testament to this versatility.
The Boston Celtics are better when relying on their balance
Reducing the reliance on the Jays has significantly improved the Celtics as a team. They have grasped the concept that they don’t need to shoulder as much of the burden as they did in the previous season.
There’s no complaint about Brown’s left hand if he continues to distribute the ball instead of attempting forced drives. Similarly, Tatum should divert his focus from the league MVP and concentrate on securing the Finals MVP.
The potential for a championship exists for the Jays, provided they persist in optimizing their midrange game.
