Jayson Tatum continues to impact Celtics even while sidelined

Because the Celtics are 7-7 to start the season, they’re clearly lacking their star, Jayson Tatum.

The 27-year-old ahead might be out for at the least a lot of the season after struggling an Achilles tear within the playoffs final yr.

Since getting drafted out of Duke in 2017, Tatum has been a focus of the Celtics offense. He averaged 26.8 factors per recreation final season, and his consistency year-after-year has led to him turning into a pacesetter on and off the court docket.

Now, with Tatum pressured out, Boston has needed to look elsewhere on offense. Jaylen Brown leads the best way scoring 27.4 factors per recreation to date, in addition to Payton Pritchard beginning to do his half, scoring 30 towards the Clippers on Nov. 16.

Whereas Tatum can’t influence the sport on the ground, this hasn’t stopped him from doing something he can to assist the crew. His teammates have been impressed with the dedication and help he’s proven whereas injured.

“He’s been tremendous lively,” Brown told reporters on Nov. 15. “He’s been round, it’s been dope to see. He’s been engaged. He’s been on nearly all of each flight, virtually each movie session. In order that degree of dedication, you possibly can inform he’s desperate to get again.”

Brown went on to match Tatum with different gamers who’ve suffered long-term accidents, and has been appreciative of the best way Tatum has approached his.

“A whole lot of guys that know they acquired an prolonged period of time, they’re going to separate themselves mentally for a little bit bit or no matter,” Brown continued. “He’s been there. He’s been like an additional coach, in a way. So it’s been form of cool to see.”

Tatum’s recommendation has been priceless for the Celtics, as they’ve a number of younger items with little NBA expertise. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez and third-year Jordan Walsh have been taking feedback from Tatum as their roles improve, and know that listening will assist them each this yr and for his or her careers.

Together with serving to the younger guys, Tatum has been attempting to educate veterans of the crew as nicely, which Derrick White commented on.

“He’s simply annoying me,” White joked to reporters when requested about Tatum’s position. “No, clearly an awesome basketball thoughts. So simply there, supporting us, telling us what he sees, encouraging us, only a bunch of different issues all through the sport. So it’s at all times nice to have one thing like that.”

The Celtics are hoping Tatum’s teaching position will take a backseat and he’ll be return to the court docket earlier than the season’s finish, as he continues to get well.