Shortly after the Boston Celtics defeated/swept (4-0) the Brooklyn Nets, Jason Tatum was selected to the NBA All-Pro 1st team. Tatum and the Boston defense had made the early season MVP favorite, Kevin Durant, look "REALLY BAD" so no one disputed the selection. In addition, the Celtics had defeated the defending champions, Milwaukee Bucks, so any Tatum negativity was treated like trolling by the masses.
I know this to be true because I stated before the Warrior/Celtic series began that the "Warriors will not need 7 games to win it all." When I "doubled down" and said that "Tatum is a turnover machine like Luka Doncic. Both are "secret agents" for the other team", casual fans lost their minds. In fact, I was chastised immediately, my knowledge of the game was questioned, and after game 1 even "friends" had abandoned me.
Fast forward to today and those that disputed what I said have had to crawl into their "troll hikes" and wait ti next season to vent. This is so because Jason Tatum became the first NBA player to turn the ball over 100 times in a single post season campaign.
For the record, Michael Wilbon, Jalen Rose, and even Steven A.Smith (Warrior pseudo-fan) picked the Boston Celtics to win game 6. On the other hand, I stuck with my original analysis. Here is why:
1) Teams that turn the ball over often, rarely win. The Boston Celtics turn the ball over like pancakes.
2) All series the Boston Celtics relied on the three point shot, just like in their surprising come from behind game one victory. The Celtics shoot 33.9% as a team which is @ss. Enough said.
3) Jason Tatum was exposed as ineffective when forced to go left. By game 6 Andrew Wiggins was so far in Tatum's jock that it became embarrassing.
4) The return of ball hawk Gary Payton 2, as well as the reemergence of Draymond Green's focus and effectiveness was also paramount.
5) The Celtic defenders were flopping, and "politicking" with the refs instead of just playing hard. Jalen Rose even mentioned this at half time of the series' final game.
In conclusion, it feels good to say "I told you so". I will admit that I was totally surprised that Jason Tatum could be shut down by forcing him to the left. That is something that I broke my son out of in the 8th grade. Steve Kerr noticed this flaw and Andrew Wiggins exoited it.
Jason Tatum and the Boston Celtics definitely have a lot of work to do in order to return to the NBA Finals next year. Jason Tatum will have to strap his right arm to his body for the entire summer, and do whatever it takes to develop the left side of his brain. If Taum does not, then he will be a former NBA All-Pro and possibly a former All-Star. The rest of the league saw what I saw, and they will be standing on Tatum's right side and forcing him to the left, trust me. Why not?
* Would you like to know who the Top 30 players from each position are, and how they were selected? If so then click the link below for more information.
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