Jayson Tatum is heading into the new Celtics season with something he didn’t have for much of last year: a full offseason to feel like himself again.
After dealing with Achilles surgery, Tatum said on Oct. 1 that he’s more comfortable in his body now and far more settled mentally, too.
“When I came back, it was great from a mentality standpoint, just to get over that hurdle of playing, and even if I was at 80% myself, knowing that I could still be effective going into the offseason, knowing that I had the whole summer to get my body right, get the rhythm of playing basketball again,” Tatum said during a media appearance on Oct. 1.
"I feel so much more confident from a mental standpoint - and physically.”
That kind of confidence matters, and it’s a big reason Tatum has the look of a player ready to put together one of the best seasons of his career.
When he returned last season, the rust showed at times. Even so, he still made his presence felt in ways that went beyond scoring.
In 16 regular-season games, the Duke alum posted a career-high 10 rebounds per game and 5.3 assists, which was the second-highest mark of his career. He was even better in the playoffs, finishing with 10.7 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.
The playmaking jump stood out most. Tatum has improved in that area every season, and after spending much of last year on the sideline, he looked like a player who had taken another step there. Boston’s current setup is built to lean into that strength, and that should matter all season long.
The Celtics have put shooters around him, including Paul George (39% from 3), Payton Pritchard (37% from 3), and Sam Hauser (39% from 3), among others. They also have Neemias Queta at center, a solid rebounder and lob threat, and they added Mitchell Robinson in free agency, who brings the same kind of value.
Tatum has already shown he can make that kind of center partnership work. His track record with Robert Williams and Luke Kornet is proof of that, and there’s little reason to think this season will be any different.
Scoring is the other piece of the puzzle. Last season, it was clear Tatum wasn’t fully back to his old self in that department, even though his numbers improved in the playoffs.
With more time to rest and recover, the St. Louis native should be back among the league’s top scorers.
The roster around him should help there, too. With more shooting and more lob threats on the floor, Tatum should have cleaner looks at the rim and better chances to pile up points. Defenses won’t simply leave him in one-on-one situations, but the Celtics are built so that he’ll be the clear leader and have the ball in his hands often.
The preseason is almost here, and Boston’s first tune-up comes on Thursday, Oct. 8, when the Celtics travel to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Hopefully, the Celtics can be a good distraction from the current New England Patriots season.
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