There’s no denying that Jayson Tatum has taken his sport to new heights this season. From ending across the rim to taking part in with managed aggression, Tatum is proving himself to be a real MVP candidate.
But, we’re additionally seeing the Celtics make the most of Tatum in new methods, be it because the popper in Spain pick-and-rolls or, extra lately, because the ‘slip man’ in screening actions, permitting Tatum to roll into house behind the perimeter protection and reap havoc on assist defenders across the league.
One of many higher examples of Tatum working on this means got here towards the Miami Heat, the place he merely slipped his display screen, acquired the rock across the nail, and took to the skies to stuff the rock over Bam Adebayo.
Within the above possession, we get a glimpse of Tatum’s ever-improving power and get to witness his true stage of athletism — one thing we not often see because of the model of his sport.
When tasked with being the roll man, Tatum can be doing an distinctive job of sealing his man onto his hips, giving him loads of house to show and face the basket earlier than making a drive to both rating across the hoop or suck within the protection to generate kick-out alternatives to a shooter within the nook.
One other possession because the roll man and one other thunderous dunk. The distinction on this possession, although, is how Tatum utilized a display screen to get a mismatch with Kyrie Irving earlier than utilizing his measurement to take Irving out of the equation when sealing him to obtain the go.
Apparently, this motion started with one thing out of the Celtics ‘fast’ sequence, which I lately wrote about.
I’ve additionally dissected this motion in just a little extra element in order that it’s simpler to see how Tatum utilized his display screen to generate a mismatch earlier than attacking the house behind Kevin Durant after Derrick White engaged him with an up faux to assist create the driving lane for Tatum.
We additionally noticed the Celtics give Tatum some reps because the curler once they confronted the Toronto Raptors on Monday night time, and once more, the outcomes have been extremely promising.
On this possession, we see Tatum set a again display screen (rip display screen) for Marcus Good earlier than slipping again towards the rim, discovering an unbelievable quantity of house in the midst of the ground. Credit score to Matt Thomas, who helps off and will get in entrance of Tatum to restrict the dunk menace and contest the shot. Sadly for Thomas, Boston’s budding famous person has the distinctive physique management and might change instructions on a dime, permitting Tatum to barely shift his drive after which contort to get a ‘seemingly’ uncontested look across the rim.
Why is utilizing Tatum because the roll man helpful?
No matter the place he’s on the ground, Tatum boasts immense scoring gravity. So, placing him because the roll man provides a brand new layer of problem for the protection. Both the point-of-attack defender sticks with the ball-handler and abandon’s his crew’s switching system, or they settle for the mismatch and comply with Tatum in his function.
Consider Tatum’s measurement, size, and power, alongside along with his ever-improving passing potential, and instantly, it appears nearly unimaginable to cease Tatum when he’s slipping to the rim, particularly if his display screen has created a good matchup for him.
Methods to additional construct on this
Probably the most logical subsequent step in using Tatum as a curler is to place him into short-roll conditions, the place he can stress a protection attributable to his mid-range scoring and talent to identify cutters or spot-up shooters excessive of a protection.
By permitting Tatum to short-roll into house across the free-throw line prolonged, opposing groups might want to carry their low helpline pick-up factors greater up the courtroom, thus giving extra room for baseline cuts or for shooters to re-locate to a path of least resistance.
One other issue right here is that Tatum is a gifted put up participant, with the flexibility to again his man down, spin off of them, or hit the turnaround fadeaway jumper — all of which is able to give him an alternative choice if he finally ends up attacking from the high-post ought to a defender rush to interact him upon the catch.
Total, placing Tatum in a curler place is simply one other evolution in how he can assault opposing defenses as an off-ball menace whereas nonetheless working as a core a part of the Celtics’ offensive eco-system. As soon as Robert Williams returns, it’s thrilling to assume how Tatum’s function in these actions will evolve and the way the kind of three-man lob actions we’ll probably see happen, however for now, it’s enjoyable to see Tatum getting so many open lanes to the rim, and lengthy could it proceed.
