If you have a friend who somehow still questions Jayson Tatum’s greatness, the first logical course of action is to dump them as a friend, because clearly they can’t be trusted.
If that doesn’t work, remind them that he’s an NBA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, still questions Jayson Tatum’s greatness, the first logical course of action, and five-time All-Star—and yes, he’s still only 19 (sorry, 26).
If they’re still not convinced, I recommend plopping them in front of the TV and showing Thursday night’s Celtics-Timberwolves game—or this highlight if they have two minutes, not two hours. Tatum has had more eye-popping performances; he’s scored more points, and he’s certainly taken over with more panache.
TATUM WAS IN HIS BAG TONIGHT 🙌
☘️ 33 PTS
☘️ 9 AST
☘️ 8 REB
☘️ 6 3PM
☘️ 3 STL@celtics move to 25-9 on the season! pic.twitter.com/Ollp4x4JKk— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2025
But this game in particular—in which he steered the Celtics to a 118-115 win with 33 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals—epitomized what makes him unique.
“Obviously, he made some great shots,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters. “But I just thought his intentionality on the offensive end was really good.”
To me, Tatum’s best skill is his ability to provide whatever the game needs. That’s what separates the great players from the good ones. Some guys can get you 33 points. Others can dish out nine assists. Many can grab eight rebounds. But to do all three at once is rather impressive.
When the Celtics needed a big 3, Tatum was there to provide it. When they needed a timely assist, he delivered. When they needed a clutch rebound, he gobbled it up. With Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis out, even more falls on his shoulders, and he continues to serve as a stabilizing constant in an ever-changing lineup.
He also helped limit Anthony Edwards to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting (2 of 9 from 3). Mazzulla said Tatum requested to guard Edwards before tip-off, and he did an excellent job forcing him right and making him uncomfortable.
“Just another way to insert yourself into the game and be focused and locked in,” Tatum told reporters, in reference to guarding Edwards.
Mazzulla commended him for setting the tone.
“I thought he took on the challenge of that,” Mazzulla said. “He was great tonight.”
His ability to guard 1 through 5 shouldn’t be taken for granted, but it often is.
Tatum is leading the Celtics in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, and 3-pointers made this season. That’s on a team with Brown, Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser. On a starstudded roster, he consistently stands out.
Here are a few plays and musings that illuminate his dazzling performance:
Big-time 3 over Rudy Gobert.
Here’s the scoring. The Celtics forced the Timberwolves to switch more often than they would have liked, and Tatum was often the beneficiary. Rudy Gobert doesn’t stand a chance.
Jayson Tatum drags Rudy Gobert way past the perimeter, then buries a 30-footer in the 4X DPOY's face. pic.twitter.com/AP0olh9GSQ
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) January 3, 2025
On the sequence where he got a technical (it probably shouldn’t have been a tech, but it is what it is), he played through contact and finished. Even though it was a foul, and it wasn’t called, he still made the shot. He likely wouldn’t have done so a few years ago.
Yes, and he had multiple chances to put Minnesota away, but it happens. Without him, they wouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.
Sweet one-handed pass to Neemias Queta.
This is where Tatum is at his best. He dropped 16 points in the third quarter, so you have no choice but to respect the 3-ball. The Wolves doubled Tatum, and he quickly reacted and delivered a one-handed pass on the money to Neemias Queta for a flush.
This is another play be may not have made a few years ago. I’m sure the Warriors series still keeps him up at night, even after winning a ring, and I’m sure he wouldn’t make the same mistakes now that he did then. That’s the beauty of watching a superstar mature before your eyes.
Dime ➡️ Dunk pic.twitter.com/tqh7YJyqhT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 3, 2025
He also had a slick pass to Al Horford, a well-timed lob to Luke Kornet and an over-the-shoulder dime to White. Oh, and he only had two turnovers.
Then there’s the rebounding.
Tatum is one of the most underrated rebounders in the league. Look at this stat from Dick Lipe. Very impressive. He’s with all the bigs.
He makes a conscious effort to rebound—not all superstars do.
LONGEST CURRENT STREAK WITH 8+ REBOUNDS
31 Karl-Anthony Towns, NY
18 JAYSON TATUM, BOS
11 Isaiah Hartenstein, OKC
11 Domantas Sabonis, SAC
7 Nikola Vucevic, CHI— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) January 2, 2025
Plus, the defense.
Not all superstars genuinely enjoy playing defense. Tatum does. He’s the definition of a well-rounded player, and the Celtics are extremely lucky to have him.
Nights like this remind you how far he’s come. The scary part is, he can still get even better.
