Boston Celtics: How Jayson Tatum found his NBA stardom

In a season that has been put on pause, Boston Celtics third-year forward Jayson Tatum has risen to NBA superstardom.

Remember that time Jayson Tatum put 41 on the Los Angeles Lakers. Or, how about that time the Boston Celtics young, rising star went toe-to-toe with Kawhi Leonard?

Well, as the long March of month fades into a hopefully more optimistic month known for renewal, all Celtics fans have to look forward to is looking back and reflecting on a season that may have an opportunity to find its completion.

And how can you not reflect on the 2019-2020 NBA season without recognizing rise to superstardom of one Jayson Tatum.

Before the season went on hiatus, the first-time NBA All Star was putting the league on notice, averaging 26.9 points per game, while pulling down 7.3 rebounds per game. Not only was he taking over games offensively, he was showing the basketball world that he quickly becoming the next two-way player in the league.

Still wish Danny Ainge found a way to center a trade around Tatum for Anthony Davis?

In the perfect scenario where patience eventually wins out, especially in the NBA with young talent, Tatum has proved (mostly to himself) that the pressure one puts on himself, along with the high expectations of those around him, are the greatest obstacles on the road towards individual accolades and success.

Appearing on CLNS’s “Good ‘N Plenty” podcast on Monday, Jayson Tatum admitted that some early season struggles almost ruined his mental approach to the game and therefore almost put a dent in his All-Star chances.

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"“Early in the season I put so much pressure on myself and mentally. Obviously, I wanted to win. I wanted us to be a really good team, but I also thought about making All-Star Game every, every day,” Tatum said, as transcribed by WEEI. “And every time I had a bad game, I remember I would text (skills coach) Drew (Hanlen) and I’d be like, ‘Drew, I don’t think I’m going to make it anymore.’ He’d be like, ‘Bro relax.’ And then, when I would have a good game, I’d be like, ‘Brow, I think I’m gonna make I.’ And I remember when I went 1-for-18 (against Dallas) I was like, ‘Everybody’s just goonna think about this one, I’m just, I’ not gonna make it.”"

In fact, that poor shooting game was overshadowed by games in which Tatum seemed like he couldn’t miss. With injuries to Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward, the young All-Star had to put the Boston Celtics on his shoulders and once he proved he could carry the weight, his confidence soared to a higher level – a level where true superstars are made.

Most importantly, what has really flourished Jayson Tatum into stardom is his ability to help the team win in other areas when his shot is not falling. In both his defensive play and rebounding, Tatum has learned not to sour his head when the offense is not flowing. He has learned that in a team game, it is not always the scoring stat that helps win games.

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So, if and when the NBA season resumes, Boston Celtics fans have another All-Star to look forward to and a more relaxed player who still has not even come close to hitting his ceiling.

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