Drummerboybac | Celtics

487 | 8 hours ago

He had the old swagger tonight for sure

duggyfresh88 | Celtics

135 | 8 hours ago

When they showed him with the mean mug you knew what’s up

David_Does_Dallas

28 | 8 hours ago

Is his defense effected by the recovery?

Sm0k3inth3tr33s | Celtics

66 | 8 hours ago

Yes, his decision making on that end has clearly been one of the most effected areas of his game in my opinion. I think he’s just taking it slow and making smart business decisions until he feels truly back to 100%

Riot1990 | Celtics

48 | 8 hours ago

Ive seen him just give up some layups because he didnt wanna go up for a block since hes been back but not really surprising. Id be nervous as hell in his shoes

iamgarron | Celtics

8 | 5 hours ago

he’s also not as aggressive on help defense. a few times someone gets blowby, and you can see Tatum not neccessarily rotate.

juicejug | Celtics

3 | 3 hours ago

He also doesn’t close out on those kick-out threes and focuses on getting the rebound. I totally understand because that kind of explosive change of direction is what tore his Achilles in the first place, but it always looks like he’s just not trying.

lazydictionary | Celtics

19 | 7 hours ago

Affected

bourbonkitten | BOS

5 | 7 hours ago

Username checks out

CreatiScope | Celtics

36 | 8 hours ago

He looks a bit slower to me but overall no. I’d say his defense seemed pretty fine for his return. It’s the offensive side that’s been coming back. Mostly at the rim and his shot. His passing/vision has been there too.

Bear in mind, he’s also entering a new system, Joe changed up the offense and defense a good bit with our roster overhaul so he’s been adjusting to those changes too. Celtics used to be pretty anti-gambling on defense and would just stay home because they had such good defenders they didn’t need to double much. Now, they swarm the fuck out of people if they get in the paint.

terry-tea | Celtics

14 | 8 hours ago

the paint-swarming is what happens when you lose one of your all-defense guards and your entire rim-protecting frontcourt (besides the former fourth option).

you gotta make some tradeoffs, swarm guys like shai and bet on guys like caruso/joe missing the kickout shots

King_Of_Pants | BOS

2 | 3 hours ago

And IDK if I’d even say physically slower, more mentally slower.

He’s a lot more prone to lapses compared to before. Like he’ll forget to pick someone up in transition or he’ll lose track of his man off-ball.

There will be a switch and he’ll be slow to cut his man off and get blown by.

But that’s all part of the process of getting him acclimated. As you said, he’s also learning a new system on the fly.

The advanced stats seem to love his early defensive impact. He already has the 2nd best defensive rating out of our rotation players. Although that is partially just because he joined late, right as our defence was starting to really click.

IllustratorOk8779

7 | 6 hours ago

His perimeter defense looks roughly the same. If anything, he’s been more locked in on that end so it’s slightly better.

The biggest effect looks like his rim protection. Looks like he’s being cautious going up for blocks and challenging players at the rim. Celtics fans probably know better, they can chime in.

duggyfresh88 | Celtics

2 | 5 hours ago

Yes this is definitely accurate. He has given up a lot of layups that normally he would have contested in the past. But he is moving as well as can be expected on the perimeter. He probably won’t feel completely comfortable until next season but he’s already improving a ton each game

lazydictionary | Celtics

5 | 7 hours ago

Affected

slamdunkbb123

4 | 5 hours ago

Exaggerated swagger of a black teen perhaps

iamgarron | Celtics

2 | 5 hours ago

Except for that one shot with the friendly bounce, pretty much everything was a swish tonight too. Shot is coming back fast.

cmcg18 | Celtics

1 | 2 hours ago

Old 🫡

SlickVanExel | Hornets

457 | 8 hours ago

I had the pleasure of watching this live in person. These were 32 effortless, ethical buckets. I was speechless.

halo364 | Celtics

156 | 8 hours ago

Tatum sometimes whines for fouls a bit, but by and large he’s a very ethical hooper imo

PostModernPost | Celtics

51 | 7 hours ago

and gets T’d up for clapping.

PineJ

18 | 7 hours ago

I love Tatum and I wouldn’t say he foulbaits but he’s a top tier whiner. Every drive he throwing his hands up and complaining. Like cmon I wish these guys had pride in finishing through contact because you a tough guy, just put your head down and move on.

UnusedName1234 | Celtics

14 | 5 hours ago

If only the ref gives him half the whistle SGA and Giannis gets for driving.

daboys765 | Celtics

13 | 5 hours ago

He throws his hands up but that’s about it. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him stay back to argue with a ref. He always gets right back into position.

CreatiScope | Celtics

21 | 8 hours ago

That one foul he got on Lamelo for 3 FTs wasn’t ethical lol but he did miss ²⁄₃ FTs to make up for it.

Drummerboybac | Celtics

27 | 8 hours ago

I think pump faking a guy into the air is ethical enough. It’s not like he acted like he got shot when someone grazed his arm

CreatiScope | Celtics

5 | 8 hours ago

That’s fair, I just don’t like the move overall. He didn’t flop to get it, but it’s just an annoying play to watch as a fan.

midnight-mc | Celtics

2 | 7 hours ago

It’s definitely a cop out to go for it

PostModernPost | Celtics

4 | 6 hours ago

I think it’s fine occasionally. Keep your defender honest so you have more space to shoot the next time. But if it starts to be a goto move it’s an issue.

Drummerboybac | Celtics

3 | 6 hours ago

I think of it as a reward for throwing a really good pump fake.

PostModernPost | Celtics

-1 | 6 hours ago

Eh I dunno, defenders bite on bad pump fakes all the time.

Prophet_Of_Helix | Celtics

22 | 8 hours ago

Was also there tonight. Also a UConn alum.

The arena erupting at the end of halftime when UConn hit that bucket was amazing.

Top 5 basketball day in CT history.

Women destroy Notre Dame, men break the hearts of Duke, and Tatum and Pritchard take care of the Hornets.

I’m riding high lmao

CharlemagneIS | Celtics

3 | 3 hours ago

Damn is it too late to go get a new couch at Jordan’s Furniture?

PretendFix6284

1 | 3 hours ago

does connecticut really lean more celtics than it does knicks?

Headlesshorsman02 | Thunder

152 | 8 hours ago

Glad to see it man the league is better when all the stars are healthy

Dry_Bar_4965 | Lakers

-52 | 4 hours ago

Are you serious dude? Your team can only win if the other team’s stars go down. If you guys make it back to the Finals and meet the Celtics, you’ll be cooked.

captainetty | Thunder

32 | 4 hours ago

Bro mad basketball fans happy people are healthy actually gross behavior

rhonnypudding | Supersonics

14 | 3 hours ago

No one hates the Thunder more than me but dude left a legit positive comment. Chill Laker dude.

dev_vvvvv | Celtics

149 | 8 hours ago

The Anomaly.

MedicalWeird4067

10 | 6 hours ago

Honestly surprised this nickname hasn’t caught on. I like it

yunggoldensmile | Wizards

5 | 4 hours ago

Fuck it I like it now too

HS941317

105 | 8 hours ago

League is fucked

DreTownblues | Celtics

91 | 8 hours ago

He dominated as soon as the game started

D1HATER3002

82 | 8 hours ago

Beating the hornets without Brown, White and Vuc btw. Mazulla COTY bro!!!!

stevefazzari | Celtics

14 | 5 hours ago

lol i love that this is a flex this year. what a turnaround for the hornets

brickvanexel | Celtics

2 | an hour ago

Especially after they pancaked the Celtics in the last meeting

Voxityy | Hornets

2 | an hour ago

it feels nice

Lmao1903 | NBA

1 | 12 minutes ago

Celtics are the greatest team ever without Jaylen Brown but I guess missing White sucks

SwolePalmer | Celtics

56 | 8 hours ago

You guys are fucked.

Pale-Criticism-7420 | Celtics

13 | 8 hours ago

We coming for banner 19

-Gnostic28 | Lakers

5 | 5 hours ago

Not if we have anything to say about it (we’ll be out after the first round)

JedH44 | Celtics

58 | 8 hours ago

MF loves being in Charlotte

SeveralDeer3833 | Celtics

52 | 8 hours ago

Took this guy two weeks to look 90%

YaPhetsEz

55 | 8 hours ago

Glad to see him healthy. The game is at its best when the best players can play.

heat_fan_ | Raptors

38 | 8 hours ago

Celtics gonna be scary on the playoffs

Vintage JT

SkoivanSchiem | Lakers

39 | 8 hours ago

I think it’s time to consider bumping him over Luka in the MVP rankings.

ThanosIsDoomfist | Celtics

6 | 4 hours ago

No, thats ridiculous. Luka Garza isnt even a starter.

I was thinking we threw Payton Pritchards name in the MVP hat. My ranking would be: Joker, Alien, FTA, PP… Am I missing somebody?

terry-tea | Celtics

2 | 8 hours ago

luka has officially been downgraded to #6 on the mvp ladder

tejanoazul | Rockets

37 | 8 hours ago

That’s awesome

bootywizard42O | NBA

31 | 8 hours ago

Man his return has been timed perfectly. C’s are dark horses for the title.

MiniGiantSpaceHams | Celtics

2 | 4 hours ago

I think that horse is pretty well lit.

Ienjoymyself

-24 | 8 hours ago

This joke has never been funny

KawhiDidNothingWrong | TOR

11 | 7 hours ago

what joke?

Lets_Basketball | BOS

9 | 7 hours ago

Maybe calling them dark horses? They have the second best odds to make the title game.

bootywizard42O | NBA

2 | 4 hours ago

Yeah because they’re in the East, I don’t think anyone had them beating OKC, Spurs or even Nuggets for that matter. But with Tatum’s return, that could change.

KawhiDidNothingWrong | TOR

1 | 5 hours ago

Yeah fair ig

Mosh00Rider | Suns

0 | 7 hours ago

Yeah the Celtics were never a dark horse. They expected Tatum back by the playoffs at the latest

midnight-mc | Celtics

1 | 7 hours ago

I think that’s the joke? That it’s not a joke

tpt25 | Hornets

32 | 8 hours ago

I was at the game in the nose bleeds, and it felt like a Celtics home game… he was on fire.

ChickenWhiskers | Celtics

30 | 8 hours ago

Now that Tatum’s back, maybe I do want Charlotte in the playoffs. He absolutely sonned those dudes tonight.

Sm0k3inth3tr33s | Celtics

13 | 8 hours ago

Let’s be real, the Hornets were never gonna be a real contender this season. They are a fun story and definitely on the right track, but they are still at least a piece or 2 away from competing for championships with teams like the Celtics and the best of the West.

ChickenWhiskers | Celtics

14 | 8 hours ago

There’s no reason to not believe the Hornets could 2008-Hawks us with their mirror-match playstyle and enormous chip on their shoulders. Tough weekend for them but they’re still dangerous as a play in team. Don’t think we’d lose to them but I also don’t wanna go 6 or 7 against a sniper squad in round 1

LordHussyPants | Celtics

3 | 5 hours ago

i dunno man, we’ve seen the heat pull off crazy business from the 8th seed, and the hornets have been on fire since january. i wouldn’t be surprised if they went through the play-in and came 8th, and then toppled detroit. and from there they only need to play as they have been and have a bit of luck and they could be a surprise mover through the bracket

Sm0k3inth3tr33s | Celtics

1 | 5 hours ago

That heat team was a totally different story, led by Spo and full of vets

1216996 | Celtics

30 | 8 hours ago

It’s always that 0 turnovers that impresses me the most

Zeeron1 | Thunder

25 | 8 hours ago

Hell yeah

holyyguava | Hornets

18 | 8 hours ago

Beast mode today

Dar4125 | Thunder

11 | 8 hours ago

Top 3 title contenders are Thunder, Spurs and Celtics

jiddyjedi

10 | 8 hours ago

League is better with Tatum playing, such a great game from him

SandwitchJ | Celtics

9 | 8 hours ago

We are so fucking back

rds2mch2 | Celtics

0 | 6 hours ago

Yeah. If we are not in the ECF I am very disappointed.

Senorspeed | Celtics

8 | 8 hours ago

Yall in a lot of trouble

No_Holiday_6376

8 | 8 hours ago

If him and Giannis were healthy for most of this season, this would be the best mvp race ever. Add in a healthy Embiid and it would be cinema

InverseMySuggestions | Celtics

7 | 8 hours ago

That was lovely.

bosbi62

7 | 7 hours ago

Also reached 14,000 career points tonight. Youngest Celtic to do so.

rds2mch2 | Celtics

5 | 7 hours ago

Celts have beat the Hawks, OKC, and Hornets in the past three games.

I did not see that coming.

lukeskope | Celtics

2 | 4 hours ago

The Hawks and Hornets being statement wins, I did not see that coming.

IAmCBOY2 | Celtics

3 | 8 hours ago

This sub said the Hornets are title favorites

DowntownJulieBrown1 | Raptors

3 | 7 hours ago

Oh fuck I’m gonna listen to Bill Simmons jerking it aren’t I

CaillouButWithHair

2 | 7 hours ago

he’s so back

Hanaichichickencurry | Celtics

2 | 6 hours ago

He’s soooo back

GigaFly316 | Warriors

2 | 6 hours ago

His surgeon must be Jesus Christ himself

swass-print | Celtics

1 | 7 hours ago

Great time for jaylen to get the injury that sidelined cmc for almost a year

Toolb0xExtraordinary | Bucks

1 | 6 hours ago

Uh oh

nokarmawhore | Spurs

1 | 6 hours ago

This guy will back to form by the second round at this rate 🫣

fairlife42g

1 | 4 hours ago

nba finals incoming

NemusSoul | Lakers

1 | 4 hours ago

That’ll probably vault him over Luka for MVP.

oklolzzzzs

1 | 3 hours ago

scored 30 before podz……

[deleted]

-8 | 8 hours ago

[deleted]

_NautyByNature | Celtics

4 | 8 hours ago

30 minutes? They’ve been slowly ramping him up, on schedule, since he returned. What’s the issue?

Jayson Tatum posts a season-best 32 points on 12⁄23 FG, 5⁄10 3PT, 3⁄5 FT to go along with 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 0 turnovers in a win against the full strength Hornets.

Jayson Tatum posts a season-best 32 points on ¹²⁄₂₃ FG, ⁵⁄₁₀ 3PT, ³⁄₅ FT to go along with 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 0 turnovers in a win against the full strength Hornets.