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Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum had a good start to his professional career with solid performances during the Summer League in Utah and Las Vegas. He led his team in scoring throughout the tournament and even knocked down a game-winning shot that caught the attention of a lot of fans. However, one criticism from one NBA scout stands out.
He noted how the 19-year-old Duke product became selfish on the court, and that it won't be possible for him to take as many shots during the regular season, especially with the level of talent the Celtics roster has. The scout then added, via Sean Deveney of Sporting News, that the good news for the team is that it's something that can be fixed once their coaching staff addresses it.
“He gets a little selfish out there. He won’t be able to do that with a team as talented as the Celtics. There are too many other scorers. But he does get it in his mind sometimes that he is going to take the shot, and he might use up all the clock before he throws up a dud. That is fixable, though.”
There is no doubt that Tatum is a very talented player and that he is ready to perform at the highest level, but has to understand that he is a first-year player who will not be the focal point of the offense for the C's. He will definitely have his opportunities to score, but that won't come as often as he's used to due to the minutes share with Gordon Hayward, Jae Crowder, and Jaylen Brown at the three spot.
Tatum had impressive averages of 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in the Summer League after being selected third overall in last month's draft. Should he be able to carry the success he's had so far to the regular season, he may earn the trust and confidence of Brad Stevens, and could have the chance to receive relevant minutes, even if he comes off the bench.
