Amid the NBA’s most intriguing first-round series this season, Jayson Tatum is putting the world on notice.
With the C’s holding a 3-0 series lead over the Brooklyn Nets, their young leader has some league personnel convinced he is the future. One NBA scout even went so far as to say he’d take Tatum over former MVP Kevin Durant.
Here’s what he said:
I also don’t think what we’re witnessing is vintage Durant. And what we are witnessing is Tatum and Brown and that group entering their prime, whereas (Durant) is on the back end of the prime. Those guys are not chopped liver, man. I mean, I’ll tell you right now, obviously, I think most people think if you (evaluate) his career that Durant is a better player than (the 24-year-old) Tatum. I mean, if nothing else, it’s the track record. But if you gave me a choice of which one I would take from this point forward, it’s not even close to me. … To me, if you’re watching the game and you didn’t know who these guys were, I’m not watching Durant (and saying), “That’s the best player on the floor.” I’m not so sure Tatum’s not (the best).
NBA scout says he’d take Tatum over KD ‘from this point forward’
“if you’re watching the game and you didn’t know who these guys were,I’m not watching Durant(and saying),‘That’s the best player on the floor.’ I’m not so sure Tatum’s not (the best)”
(Via https://t.co/ZgfH3R49It) pic.twitter.com/Gojh7j8lWG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 23, 2022
This has been a breakout season for Tatum. After a rough start, the star swingman led his team to amazing success, averaging 26.9 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on 45.3% shooting.
The Celtics ended as the 2nd seed in the East with a 51-31 record overall.
Unfortunately, their stellar play earned Boston a first-round matchup against the Nets, who have two of the best players on the planet.
Despite questionable odds, Tatum and his co-star Jaylen Brown are proving that they are ready to compete against the best. They are passing a major test.
We will see soon enough if they have what it takes to go all the way.
