The Boston Celtics have been the best team in the league to begin the 2023-24 NBA season. Jayson Tatum‘s offensive adjustments have been a significant part of the Celtics’ hot start to the season. He’s getting into the post more, attacking the rim, and consistently embracing contact. Of course, the Celtics’ exceptional floor spacing has played a role in Tatum’s newfound offensive aggression.
Nevertheless, the St. Louis native’s change in approach has begun to catch the eye. In a recent episode of “The Lowe Post” podcast, ESPN’s Zach Lowe praised Tatum for adjusting his offensive mindset and noted how he’s reaping the benefits as a reward. Lowe also noted that Tatum’s aggression is paying dividends in his playmaking.
“He’s playing the most physical interior basketball of his career,” Lowe said. “For Tatum, it’s ‘Oh, I got to center on me. Let me resist the temptation every time to shake and bake a step back three, and just roast this dude and go to the basket.’ I think he’s been pretty good at doing that. I think the quality of his passes…To me, his passing has been better and more productive, and earlier, and snappier, and quicker.”
Despite being on a roster littered with elite talent, Tatum standout as the best player on the team, and oftentimes on the court.
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His early-season evolution as a three-level scorer and primary playmaker is what’s fuelling the rest of the rotation to execute their roles at a high level.
Tatum’s presence on the Celtics roster elevates the team beyond being a conference finals contender. He has taken the final step in his development that so many have discussed in recent years. Now, he needs to take another final step, and that’s helping the Celtics hoist a new banner in the TD Garden.
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