LOS ANGELES — There has never been a bigger onus on Jayson Tatum in his NBA career than the start of the 2021-22 season. The All-Star is the only Celtic to play in all 24 of the team’s games so far and he’s averaging a career-high 36.5 minutes per game in those matchups, the second-highest total in the NBA this season.
That type of heavy workload after a summer of play in the Olympics may have contributed to his slow start out of the gate, leading to career-lows in field goal and 3-point shooting percentage thus far over two months. However, head coach Ime Udoka does not hold any concern about the toll that Tatum’s added minutes are taking on him amid Boston’s 13-11 start to the season.
“I don’t necessarily think 36 is a big thing for him,” Udoka said. “Given that Jaylen’s been out the amount he has and we’ve had to rely on (Tatum) more, that obviously was ramped up a little bit beside the extra overtimes, the six extra periods there tacking on some minutes. But he’s a guy that’s coped well.
“He’s finding his rhythm and as I’ve mentioned, I’ve never seen a guy his age take care of himself and prepare the way he does with treatment, getting the shots he needs, in the weight room. He’s living in the gym, so he takes care of himself and it’s not a coincidence that he’s been able to play those high minutes and play at a high level.”
That high level is starting to become more consistent again for the 23-year-old in recent weeks as Boston’s offense has started round to form. Udoka called Tatum and Boston’s starters out for selfish offense after a loss to the Spurs and Tatum has made major contributions in all facets of his game over Boston’s 3-1 stretch since then, putting up season-highs with assists (10), rebounds (16) and free throw attempts (11) during that stretch.
Boston’s offense has responded in kind, with back-to-back top offensive outings in Portland and Utah with Tatum serving as a catalyst in both performances.
“We’ve hit him quite a few times with not settling, making a quick decision and when he does that he can get to the basket or make plays for other guys,” Udoka said of Tatum’s playmaking. “He had some success quite a few games ago and saw himself getting to the free throw line. Saw he was missing shots earlier in the year that we love for him getting to the basket. I think he just saw the success of getting to the basket, getting to the free throw line, and how that opened everything up for himself and has carried that over.
“We love the balance and the fact that he can score in the post, pick-and-roll and iso - anywhere on the court. But we love him getting downhill and being aggressive there, and driving and kicking for his teammates for sure.”
With Jaylen Brown sidelined for much of the season, Tatum has had to adjust the added defensive attention and try to keep an even-keeled as he’s faced enhanced criticism from all angles. While Tatum is far from the only All-Star who has been inconsistent to begin the year, Udoka has appreciated his ability to be himself through the ups and downs.
“Stay confident,” Udoka said of his message to Tatum. “Stay consistent in his process of what he does. He doesn’t waiver from that, whether he scores 40 or has a bad shooting night. He comes in and does what he does every day like I just mentioned. So his professionalism is off the charts, especially for a guy his age, like I said.
" I’ve been around a long time and never seen a guy at that age and focus on taking care of himself to the extent that he does. It’s a credit to him that he’s able to play those minutes. 36 isn’t a crazy high number. Like I said, we’ve had to rely on him probably more than we would have liked to early with guys being out. But he’s taken on a heavy load and stays consistent with what he does every game, every practice, every day.”
With Tatum still shooting five points below his career averages from the field (45 percent) and 3-point line (38 percent), there’s reason for optimism that the Celtics offense can sustain signs of the turnaround they’ve shown over the weekend. Once the adjustments to the new system and heavier load take shape more fully, Tatum could be the catalyst towards the top half of the crowded East playoff picture.
“He’s learning on the fly what he has to do to become a more well-rounded player offensively and defensively and he picks his spots well,” Udoka said. “I’m thinking he’s making the right play for the most part and teams are going to try to take the ball out of his hands. So the more he loosens everybody else up, the easier it becomes for him in the second half of games.”
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