Jayson Tatum, the former Duke Blue Devil and third overall pick by the Boston Celtics, was a huge revelation for the team last season.
The Rookie of the Year finalist averaged an astounding 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on 47.5% FG shooting and 43.4 percent on threes as the third option on offense. He improved his scoring to 18.5 points per game in the postseason and was a huge reason for the Celtics’ deep playoff run, despite losing Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving to injuries.
This early success has only motivated him to work harder on his game in preparation for the upcoming season. According to a Chris Forsberg of ESPN, Tatum has reportedly focused on his strength and conditioning.
Tatum said he's gotten stronger this summer. "That's probably been the biggest focus. I'm still young so it's hard to really just throw on a bunch of extra pounds. But I've definitely gotten a lot stronger. … I just wanted to get my body right and keep getting stronger."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) August 18, 2018
It’s scary to think how a young player like Tatum takes such a meticulous approach to his game.
Aside from getting stronger, he has also picked the brain of Laker legend and childhood hero, Kobe Bryant, on improving his footwork and adding several post moves to his arsenal.
All this will only push him to become a tougher and more complete basketball player as he enters his second NBA season. He may even be asked to play more power forward, especially in smaller lineups, with the impending return of Hayward as well as the continued growth of Jaylen Brown.
Still, his role on the Celtics is set in stone as one of the building blocks of the storied franchise, especially if he continues his superb work ethic. This, together with a combination of shooting, length, and defense, will propel Tatum as one of the best young talents in the entire league.
Follow Us
Subscribe