Why Doesn't Anyone Treat Jayson Tatum Like One of the Best Players in the NBA?

I have like 2 friends total so while most people’s Memorial Day weekend is spent at the beach, creating memories with loved ones or whatever, I’m at the crib watching Celtics/Pacers Game 3, snacking on hot dogs I did not get from a big cookout but instead, from the food truck close to my house.

Real sicko hours.

For most, the Eastern Conference Finals were over. The Celtics were up 2-0 and Tyrese Haliburton is sitting out Game 3 with a hamstring injury. But it is really difficult to beat the same professional basketball team 4 straight times and Boston went into halftime of Game 3 down 12 with Indiana lowkey about to run their asses out of the gym.

Who’s giving TJ McConnell the max? pic.twitter.com/ZypOBWPs7q

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 26, 2024

Stick around Deadseriousness for a “Are we sure Tyrese Haliburton is better than TJ McConnell?” conversation but this is about Jayson Tatum—who once again had another incredible playoff game no one cares about.

Here’s what Tatum did in Boston’s 114-111 Game 3 comeback victory:

44 minutes
36 points
12-23 shooting
5-for-10 from 3
7 free throws
10 rebounds
8 assists
2 blocks
1 steal
0 turnovers

Jayson Tatum is the 1st player in NBA history with at least 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists while committing 0 turnovers in a playoff game. One of the best playoff performances of the decade.

He’s averaging 26 points and 10 boards this run yet you are more likely to hear about the heroics of Luka Doncic or the spirit of Anthony Edwards. Jayson Tatum is the best player on the best team in the NBA and no one gives a shit about what he’s doing.

Jayson Tatum over his last six games:

31 PTS | 10.3 REB | 6.2 AST | 1.8 STL | 0.7 BLK | 59.4 TS%

Let’s keep it rolling. pic.twitter.com/RWleBvBJa7

— Jake Issenberg (@jakeissenberg) May 26, 2024

The Celtics drafted Tatum in 2017.

He’s played 7 NBA seasons.

He’s been an All-Star for 5 of those 7 years.

Boston has made the playoffs in 6 of Tatums 7 NBA years, only missing in 2017, his rookie season.

Tatum is currently playing in his 3rd consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. Boston made the Finals in 2022.

Jayson Tatum has made the All-NBA First Team for the last 3 years. He’s finished in the Top 10 of MVP voting 3 straight seasons.

This man is currently in the middle of one of the greatest careers in NBA history.

So why doesn’t anyone treat Jayson Tatum like one of the best players in the league?

It’s simple, really. No one talks bout Tatum like one of the best because, well, he’s not.

Have you seen Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic play basketball? Their impact on the outcomes of their team’s games is undeniable.

Tatum is essentially early 2010’s Paul George but with more shooting volume. Or more appropriately, he’s just Paul Pierce again—minus the alcoholism.

He is nowhere near as great as Luka or Jokic.

Those two men have complete control over every single possession. Tatum’s offense feels more scripted and created in a lab by a series of coaches and trainers to maximize points per possession and win probabilities as opposed to actually going out there and balling, where Luka and Doncic feel like greater improvisers and creators of scoring opportunities.

Joel Embiid, Giannis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, all of these guys are deserving of MVP trophies while Tatum is fortunate enough to play for an organization that has maximized his potential in a way that the Seatlle Supersonics couldn’t do with Ray Allen or the Golden State Warriors/Washington Bullets couldn’t do with Chris Webber.

Jayson Tatum being surrounded by great teammates and coaches doesn’t conceal his greatness but instead, puts a spotlight on exactly what he is and is not.

At 26 years old, Tatum just played in his 107th postseason game. Having a great team perpetually flirting with an NBA Championship has given us an infinite amount of game tape where we see, clear as day, he is not him.

Last year, Jimmy Butler was better. In 2022, Steph Curry. In 2021, Kevin Durant. In 2020, Jimmy Butler again.

It feels like Boston has the better-constructed roster every season yet the Celtics continue to be titleless because the superior superstar keeps running their pockets.

No part of me believes the Celtics can beat the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic, the better basketball player, will make it loud and clear why one is in the discussion for the best in the world and the other is Jayson Tatum.

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Is Jayson Tatum underrated? Leave a comment below. Respond on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or shoot me an email at Deadseriousmailbag@gmail.com. Let’s chat, bay-beeeee. Let me know your terrible Tatum takes.