(Hayward injury aside) last night felt very similar to me to Tatum’s debut.

https://youtu.be/djnx1QPCajg?si=u264PX8KULXxYx_a

Similar stat line.

14/10/3 vs Cleveland

15/12/7 last night

In his debut, he hit two free throws near the end of the first half, scored his first field goal on an alley oop in the third quarter and then started to look sure of himself after his first self created field goal (an and-1 against LeBron) with 5:30 left in the third. And of course he pretty much remained sure of himself until the injury and really until the 5 points at the end of the first half last night.

And as a fan, it brought me back to the last time I was so personally invested in someone playing well, not in order to win the game, but to look like someone who can be the best or second best player on a title team.

And all it took was Tatum seeing the ball go through the basket once or twice.