September prediction – We find out how good Jayson Tatum really is
Jayson Tatum is very good, but can he be the best player on a championship-contending team? We’re about to find out. He already had a playoff run in 2018 but that was a very different version of Tatum than the one we see today.
That version of Tatum was a rookie averaging under 20 points who had a lower usage rate in the playoffs than Jaylen Brown. This version of Tatum is the clear focal point of the offense and if he’s playing at his peak he gives them a chance against any team in the NBA.
Tatum should be the best player on the floor during their series with the Raptors. And if he proves that, they should be able to get through Toronto and into the Eastern Conference Finals. Assuming the Bucks are in there to greet the Celtics in the Conference Finals, that will be the defining moment of Tatum’s career so far.
He doesn’t have to beat the Bucks to be considered a top tier player, but he has to be great and make that series go six or seven games. If Tatum can put on a Luka-esque performance against a Bucks team who has been the best in the NBA all season, then he absolutely deserves to be recognized as one of elite players in the league.
I don’t think there is any question that Tatum will get to that level someday. The only question is when will he get there? Maybe he already is.