No matter how strong any Boston Celtics roster is constructed, there is always one star that shines brighter than others. In this conference-clinching NBA Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers, Kendrick Perkins posits that there will be certain things expected out of Jayson Tatum. Why? It is largely because this is one of his few shots to enter basketball immortality.
A mission for Jayson Tatum
The Celtics are probably the most balanced squad that entered the NBA Playoffs. Coach Joe Mazzulla's system does not necessitate any player to average 40 points for the series. This is probably going to hold true in the Eastern Conference Finals too. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford have all shown the ability to lead their team in every way. However, Kendrick Perkins suggests that one person in the Celtics system should take the lead over the others, via NBA on ESPN.
“Well, who has the key? Jayson Tatum. Is he going to drive the car? When we think about Jayson Tatum and all the players that are still in the league, all of the stars, Anthony Edwards, Luka, Kyrie, Tyrese Haliburton, they don't need Jayson Tatum to be the star. They need him to be the sun,” the analyst and former player said.
The five-time All-Star has been knocking his shots at a 43% clip from all three levels of scoring. He notches 24.3 points throughout these NBA Playoffs. There is clearly something holding him back and that is his outside stroke. His shots from way out only see the bottom of the net 28.1% of the time which is not at all good. Regardless, Kendrick Perkins is still imbibing the star to take up the mission and climb the summit of greatness.
“Do you know two things about the sun? It's going to shine brightly and damn it, it's hot. They need him to be the sun because, look, it's not about All-Stars or All-NBA teams when it comes to putting on a Celtics uniform. Especially when you're that guy, you want to join the likes of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Havlicek, and Larry Bird,” he added.
Entering the Celtics Pantheon
The task of being the primary option on both ends of the floor can be tough. But, it is nothing that the third pick of the 2017 draft can't handle. After all, he is averaging nearly a steal and block per game. So, the pursuit of being part of the greatest Celtics of all time in this NBA Playoffs run might not be too steep. A definitive step towards that goal is definitely trampling over an inexperienced Pacers squad.
“You know what that is? Celtics royalty. That's what you want to be cemented, Celtics royalty. That is completing the mission. Jayson Tatum has all the pieces, can he please take over the entire series for once? Us sitting us here saying he’s the best player in the postseason,” Perkins concluded.
Tatum does not need to produce a 40-piece every night unlike Doncic, Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, or anyone else. He just needs to get his shots up more efficiently while also not making his team lose their rhythm against the Pacers.
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