NBA, the stars: why it could be Tatum’s year

“Banner 18”. The fans are clamoring for it: the 18th title is now an obsession at the Celtics, who have been waiting for an NBA ring for 15 years now. Up there, on the ceiling of the TD Garden, 17 banners remind everyone what it means to face Boston: here, there is the history of the NBA. But the past does not come into play, and the fast has lasted too long. These are the premises of the season that awaits Jayson Tatum, cover man in Boston, called more than ever to make the leap in quality to hunt for the ring.

REVOLUTION

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The numbers say that Jayson is finally among the league’s greats: 30 points per game, 74 games played as a starter with an average of almost 37 minutes a night. Last year he stopped at the best moment, in game 7 of the conference finals against Miami: an ankle injury suffered a few minutes before the tap-off prevented him from making the difference. This year he must (and can) go differently. Brad Stevens engineered a mini-revolution in the summer to overcome the last obstacle. Via Smart, heart and soul of the franchise, via Brogdon, best sixth man of the year, via Rob Williams, fragile but fundamental in rotations. In exchange, two players have arrived who can, however, make the difference: Holiday has little or nothing to envy Smart in the defensive phase and can remove the problem of managing the ball in key moments for the “Jays”, Porzingis adds another arrow to the the arch of Mazzulla. The other side of the coin is the bench, heavily reduced by the two summer trades. White and Pritchard alone may not be enough.

PRESSURE

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Now the ball passes to Tatum. In the preseason you worked with Paul Pierce to immerse yourself even more in Boston culture. The first outings of the season also showed an improved Tatum in his play with his back to the basket: the former Duke player seemed more inclined to challenge the defender in the area, seeking contact and the basket without fear. A weapon that can add depth to his offensive game, making him an all-round threat. He will have to improve in managing moments and making choices, especially now that he will be able to count on two luxury weapons like Holiday and Porzingis, in addition to the usual Brown. However, he also needs a step forward from a leadership point of view, in a team where talent abounds but not character. Tatum has proven to be a player who is both beautiful to watch and sometimes has difficulty closing out delicate matches. Too often Boston has been forced into overtime to overcome rivals within reach, and the mission has not always been successful (see the series with Miami). The Celtics world has protected and pampered Jayson from day one in the league, but the honeymoon doesn’t last forever: now we need to win. Burdens and honors of leading such an important franchise. Coach Mazzulla’s philosophy aims to make the players on the pitch even more responsible: “I want to get them used to managing on their own in key moments,” he explained on JJ Redick’s podcast. Will Tatum be able to handle this pressure?