Jayson Tatum’s elite defense a major factor in his growth

Boston Celtics third-year forward Jayson Tatum has made a name for himself as a lethal, versatile offensive threat, but the story of how he became an elite defender may matter more to his legacy.

“I wish I could be you!”

So shouted the coach of Team USA this summer, advancing on the subject of his emphatic address.

The man in question? In his usual role, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

Leading a film session in his position as the head honcho of the United States’ FIBA World Cup team this summer, the famously prickly architect behind one of the most successful NBA franchises of the last 20 years sidled up to forward Jayson Tatum, and let him have it.

“Then I could stand in the corner with my 7-foot-long arms down by my side and not move while players go past me!”

The Duke product tried to hide within himself in his seat while the laser-focus of Popovich was upon him, teammates chuckling with mirth as much as relief it was not them under the microscope, but the message was loud and clear.

“It kind of reminded me of college,” said the Missouri native in a recent article by ESPN’s master craftswoman Jackie MacMullan.

“Coach Pop and Coach K have similar personalities in how they lead. Pop enjoys calling you out in front of everyone.”

That’s not all the Hall of Fame coach does with players, though, as MacMullan makes a point of emphasis to note. A few days later, the pair ran into each other in a hallway, and the reputedly spartan coach pulled the soon-to-be third-year wing aside.

“Do you know how special you can be? There are very few two-way players in our game, and you have the opportunity to be one of them,” Popovich explained. “You could be like Kawhi [Leonard] and Paul George.”

Floored by the praise from a man perhaps best known for the fear he puts into players and reporters alike with his brusque nature, Tatum sat in silence, struggling with the right words for such high praise.

“I hope I haven’t offended you,” added Popovich after the silence continued.

“Offended me?” Tatum exclaimed. “That’s a compliment!”

While Tatum set goals to be a 20-point scorer and an All-Star this season (both achieved, it should be noted), it’s his defense that’s made him such an invaluable player this season, presaged by Tatum’s experience with Popovich over summer.

While his teammate Marcus Smart rightfully notes the waning interest in defense in the league, that disinterest is not shared by Tatum’s primary coach, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.

“Some guys have the length and aren’t necessarily active with their hands. Jayson is, not only on the ball, but off the ball as well,” offered Stevens, referring to the former Blue Devil’s growing tendency to disrupt passing lanes for opponents who misjudge or forget about that vaunted length.

MacMullan explores the journey of Tatum from wide-eyed rookie frozen on defense like a deer in headlights to one of the NBA’s best in her inimitable fashion; if you haven’t already read the rest of her longform treatment of Boston’s newest All-Star, it’s more than worth the read.

While the 21-year-old may have plenty of room for improvement on both ends of the court, his growth is already pushing him towards the top of the league on both ends of the court.

With time and experience, the 6-foot-8 forward will very likely become one of the league’s premier talents, and he’s well on his way already.

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