Jayson Tatum is Not a Super Star

Look, I’ll admit I will be using a fine comb here to defend my point, but the bottom line is if you want to anoint Jayson Tatum as one of the best players in the NBA he needs to show me more. That is what a superstar is, it’s one of the best players in the NBA; Lebron, Kawhi, Steph, KD, AD, etc. Simply put at 22 Jayson Tatum is just not there yet.

That is not saying he sucks or that he isn’t excellent. Because he is. He can shoot the lights out, his step back game is top of the league, his mid range pull up is trustworthy. I think he has made leaps and bounds as a rebounder and you can see his play making ability starting to form. He is seeing he floor better. His defense to me has always been a plus. He gets in passing lanes, gets a lot of blocks from the weak side, and even with a thin 22 year old frame (oh, youth) holds up okay against bigger guys.

Here’s the problem. He sucks in the paint and his handle is suspect at best. Yes he dunked on Lebron. With a free lane and no dribbles he can throw down. It’s not what I am talking about. His general lay up problem has gotten better, but I have to cringe anytime I see him with a head of steam and ball in his hands on the break. In the half court he lacks a move after his step back. It’s like the second his foot hits the paint his brain goes haywire and he just chucks some shit up there. That floater should be completely removed from his bag of tricks for the rest of time. For as athletic as he is, his body control at the rim is that of a used car lot wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man thing. His team mate, Jaylen Brown added that foot work in the paint to his game this year and it’s a huge difference maker. Tatum needs that same discipline.

Tatum also needs to learn how to beat a double team. Kobe, his idol, laughed at double teams and knew exactly how and where to beat them and still get a bucket or a wide open shot for a teammate. All the best players share this skill and Tatum will get there. Oh, as and aside, complaining to the ref every single fucking time you are in the paint may or may not be helping your cause Jay, but it’s killing us at home. Remember, he is a Dukie.

So with out that part of his game solidified how can he be totally trusted with the game on the line? And isn’t that what superstars do? Hit the biggest shots? Be difference makers when no one else can? They make chicken soup out of chicken shit right? Have we really seen that next level of rising above your team to drag them to a win from Tatum? Maybe here and there. (Game 7 vs Lebron? Brad Stevens must have been watching another game.) For the most part I would say unless the chicken soup involves Tatum taking a step back 3 against a solo defender, you’re more likely to get chicken shit. Right now.

Again, Jayson Tatum is 22 and an undeniable talent. Not a lot of players in the NBA I would take over him honestly. He’s just not a superstar. Yet. Let’s call him budding.