Celtics: Jayson Tatum howls loud with 53-point ‘alpha male’ performance

If you want to make the big bucks, you have to perform like a big money player and that’s exactly what Boston Celtics young All-Star Jayson Tatum did in the team’s 145-136 overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night.

It shouldn’t have taken a 53-point performance out of Tatum for the Celtics to beat the worst team in the league record-wise, but it is what it is with a team that has been inconsistent all season long.

Now 27-26 on the season, the C’s couldn’t afford to lose one of these games they should win this late in the season, especially heading out on a tough road trip following the game.

Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics like a true alpha dog

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In a week filled with criticism leading up to the game, Tatum put a little water on all the noise by leading his team back from a double-digit deficit midway through the third quarter with his career high 53 points, which made him the first player since Larry Bird to score that many points in a single game.  He also made history as the youngest player in team history to score 50.

"“To score 50 is a big thing in this league and especially at this age,” Tatum said following the game, via ESPN.  “It’ll be a night I always remember, and we got the win on top of that – a big win.“Every win right now is big.”"

Tatum is right about that.  Whether it’s an overtime win against a struggling team like the Timberwolves or a hard fought win against a playoff hungry team like the New York Knicks, every win for the Boston Celtics is a big one for reasons that extend beyond record.

Can Tatum and the Celtics finally put it all together?

Without Evan Fournier, the Boston Celtics really haven’t developed chemistry as a complete team.

Not only have they gone stints without Marcus Smart, Tristan Thompson and Kemba Walker, but they have also played games with both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown out of the lineup.

This still does not serve as an excuse for a team led by three All-Stars.  Every team faces adversity through the season and that is what both Tatum and Brown are learning this season as it is up to them to lead their teams.

Both young stars have been called out, especially Tatum for his lack of competitive nature on the court.  While no one would ever confuse the young stud as a fiery player on the court, he does have the talent to be a lethal assassin on the court.  He has shown and proven that he can do his talking with his play.  He did that Friday night.

"“When we were coming back in the third, you could see he had it,” Celtics head coach Brad Stevens said of Jayson Tatum.  “And guys did a good job finding him.“Tatum was super special tonight. …Don’t mistake his quiet demeanor for not being a competitor.  He is a competitor.”"

Whether it’s Shaquille O’Neal’s critique that the team needs a true alpha or Kendrick Perkins directly calling Tatum out for his lack of leadership on the court, the Boston Celtics young All-Star appears to have heard the noise and is responding.

Now, it’s time to show it against the top teams.