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Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum can learn from Jaylen Brown

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Jayson Tatum walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted third overall by the Boston Celticsduring the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Jayson Tatum walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted third overall by the Boston Celticsduring the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge believes Jayson Tatum can learn a lot from last year’s No. 3 overall pick.

While Danny Ainge will always be second guessed for passing up on both Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson, the Boston Celtics have selected a player who may be in the right situation to succeed.

Draft No. 3 overall in the 2017 NBA draft, Jayson Tatum has the offensive skills to be a very special player.  He may not be the most athletic, but he does appear to have the mental makeup and maturity to become a player the team can depends on.

In fact, Tatum sounds much like last year’s No. 3 pick Jaylen Brown.  Although not as athletic, both players share common ground as they will both enter the league on a team that is a playoff contender.  Both players also could develop into the star wing player the team has been in search of.

Glooming the future

In an interview with NBA TV, Ainge lumped both players together.  He believes Tatum has the perfect role model in Jaylen Brown, who just happened to be named to the NBA All-Rookie second team.

"“I think that (Tatum will) learn a lot from Jaylen,” Ainge said, as transcribed by Masslive.com.  “I think Jaylen handled his rookie role with a good team about as well as anybody could.”"

Related Story: There is so much to love about Jayson Tatum

While showing promise, Brown did have to battle for playing minutes throughout the season.  Like any rookie, he made mistakes on the court in which he has learned from.  The kind of experience he gathered can only help a player like Jayson Tatum.

Similar, yet very different

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As they are two different players, Ainge hopes this year’s lottery pick will make the same progress last year’s lottery pick made through a grueling 82-game season and deep playoff run.

"“They’re really completely different,” Ainge said.  “I think that Jayson’s shooting and skill are ahead of Jaylen’s when we drafted Jaylen.  Jaylen’s physicality – just body, athleticism – was better than Jayson’s when he came in.  But I think there’s a lot of similarities between the two, and I think they’ll work really well together on the court and off the court.”"

Ainge went on to note Jaylen Brown’s progression and his hope that Jayson Tatum will progress and adapt in a similar fashion.  He also touched on the team’s patience with such young players.  Both can be special with opportunity and time.

In the meantime, they can help each other grow and push each other to be the best players they can be while wearing Boston Celtics green.

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