Whereas a lot of the narrative surrounding Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics has been unfavorable, one ESPN analyst flipped the script to say they’ve been “over-scrutinized” through the playoffs.
Tim Legler informed JJ Redick on “The Outdated Man and the Three” podcast, that Tatum has been unfairly judged for his total play.
“I used to be requested to complete a sentence on one of many reveals I used to be on. It was, ‘Jayson Tatum within the playoffs has been…’ and it’s a must to end the sentence,” Legler defined to Reddick. “And I completed it by saying, ‘Higher than he’s given credit score for.’ That’s how I completed that sentence.”
Leger added: “5 years in a row, 25 factors a recreation within the playoffs, 5 years in a row. Three of the final 5 years over 10 rebounds a recreation within the playoffs on your small ahead. That’s legit big-time numbers. I feel three or 4 of these years over 5 assists a recreation.”
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The previous NBA participant turned analyst acknowledges that Tatum’s capturing proportion numbers have come down through the years, calling it a “honest criticism” of the Celtics star, however says the narrative is simply too unfavorable total.
“He will get beat up like this dude simply doesn’t present up,” Legler mentioned. “And it’s simply not honest. That’s simply not honest while you have a look at it.”
Legler added that whereas Tatum has had some “tough” performances within the playoffs, he’s additionally come by way of down the stretch for Boston.
“Final 12 months at Philly, he was like 1-for-11 or one thing or possibly worse,” Legler mentioned. “And banged three-threes to win the sport and power Recreation 7. That was a kind of, star gamers nowhere to be seen. Are you able to flick the change when it’s a must to within the final three minutes? Man, did he flick that change.
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“I’m simply saying I feel total normally, it’s over-scrutinized. The workforce is over-scrutinized. I have a look at it like once they have confronted adversity, and it hasn’t been a ton, their response has been fairly spectacular. What they’ve finished on this postseason run.”
Even whereas crediting the Celtics for his or her potential to reply, Legler famous Boston’s “final problem” will come towards whichever opponent — the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves — they face within the Finals.
“It’s going to be lengthy. It’s going to be powerful,” Legler mentioned. “Completely completely different defensive problem for Boston than what they’ve seen. Completely completely different problem for his or her offense with these two groups.
“That’s after we’ll lastly be capable to say, ‘Okay, overlook every part that’s occurred thus far. That is all that issues. Now, go get it finished or not.’ That, to me, is finally what I’m basing this whole season on for the Celtics.”
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