Boston Celtics: Game 6 needs to be a Jayson Tatum legacy game
The Boston Celtics find themselves in a do-or-die situation heading into Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals tonight. They are down 3-2 against the Golden State Warriors after a fourth quarter collapse in Game 5 at the Chase Center. This Celtics team found themselves once again having to figure out how to fix their offense heading into Game 6 tonight. But one piece that might have the most pressure on his shoulders is Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
Let’s put it into perspective for a second. Jayson Tatum is far and away the Celtics best player. At the extremely young age of 24, Tatum has already found himself to be a three time NBA All-Star as well as a First-team All-NBA selection this season. But so far in the Finals, he’s been mediocre at best.
But with Game 6 on the line tonight, everything changes for the Celtics forward. Tatum needs to come out and have a big game. Some might even say it’s a legacy game for Jayson Tatum, at this point in his young career. Would you agree with that statement? If not, let me try to convince you that tonight is indeed a legacy game for Jayson Tatum.
The Boston Celtics need a better 4th quarter out of Jayson Tatum
When the game is on the line, on the biggest stage, you need your star to perform. So far in the Finals, Tatum has simply not done that. Tatum is shooting under 25% in the fourth quarter of these NBA Finals. Against a championship-caliber team like the Warriors, that isn’t going to cut it.
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Is that how Tatum wants to be remembered in his first NBA Finals? As a guy who couldn’t get it done in the fourth quarter? Absolutely not!
There are only (potentially!) two games left in this NBA season. Tatum needs to be able to close them out in order for the Celtics to have a chance to comeback and win the Finals. If Tatum shoots poorly again in the fourth quarter tonight, then the Celtics will be in some real trouble.
The Boston Celtics know Jayson Tatum isn’t guaranteed more Finals visits
No matter what happens tonight and potentially Sunday night, the future is bright for the Boston Celtics and Jayson Tatum. But you never know if you will ever have an opportunity like this again.
Look at a few of the teams that were supposed to be the next big thing. The mid-90’s Orlando Magic with Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway made it to the Finals at a young age, but they never ended up hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden went to the Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012. They lost and never got back again either.
The Eastern Conference is still very good. The Milwaukee Bucks will always be a force you have to knock off in the playoffs. The Miami Heat have shown they are legit. So who knows if Jayson Tatum and Celtics will make it back to the Finals again?
dark. Next. Jayson Tatum evolving right in front of us
That’s the mindset Tatum and the C’s needs to play with tonight. He needs to play like his legacy is on the line. Does he really want to be known as one of the young guys that was super-talented, but couldn’t get it done on the big stage? I don’t think so. Buckle up Celtics fans, it’s going to be a stressful day. Let’s hope Tatum has another Milwaukee Game 6 type of performance tonight to help extend this series!