The Boston Celtics star’s injury is concerning given his intended role adjustment.
The wrist injury suffered by Boston Celtics standout Jayson Tatum couldn’t have come at a worse time. According to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg, Tatum has demonstrated readiness for an expanded role at the point guard position, initiating the offense with increased dribbling and driving. However, putting the ball in his hands may be counterproductive in the long run due to a wrist injury. After all, there isn’t a more vital component, at least in terms of prior performance, for Boston’s Banner 18 prospects.
On the September 29 edition of “NBA Today,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne stated that Tatum was on the verge of needing surgery but chose the kind of treatment his idol Kobe Bryant was known for.
“He went into the offseason thinking he might need surgery on his non-shooting wrist,” Shelburne explained before adding, “and essentially decided, ‘I’m not gonna get the surgery, I don’t need it.'” He had a cortisone shot and said it felt great. ‘I basically did this all last year during the playoffs,’ he added, now that he’ll be playing more ball-handling because Marcus Smart is no longer there. I’m extremely comfortable initiating the defense in that role.'”
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is approaching a critical juncture in his career.
After a while, the “Tatum’s 19” humor will become rude. The fact that he was effectively the franchise’s No. 1 option during his rookie season’s Eastern Conference Finals run for the Boston Celtics, as well as return trips to the postseason’s final round and the unexpected 2022 Finals run, skewed future expectations for the Duke product.
However, as he advances in his profession, he should be considered as having come into his own at some time. Not 19.
A title run would undoubtedly accomplish this. With a Supermax teammate in Jaylen Brown and an offseason addition in Kristaps Porzingis, whose skillset earned him the nickname “unicorn,” there aren’t many reasons for not shaking the “hasn’t been there” label.
