January 29: Tatum told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN on Wednesday night that he remains undecided about whether or not he’ll return this season.
“(I want) to get it right the first time, so it’s just a lot to think about,” Tatum said.
January 28: The prospect of Jayson Tatum returning this season from the Achilles rupture that has sidelined him since last spring’s playoffs grew murkier on Wednesday night, as NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Tatum is reevaluating the idea and considering sitting out the rest of the Celtics‘ season (Twitter video link).
While it appeared Tatum was getting closer to being able to make his anticipated season debut, Haynes says the star wing’s return is now considered “up in the air.”
According to Haynes, Tatum previously told him that he had planned on coming back this season, but league sources say the situation has changed for “a couple” reasons, though Haynes didn’t elaborate on what those reasons were.
As Brian Robb of MassLive writes, in a recent podcast appearance, Tatum discussed the Celtics’ success without him this season and addressed how that delicate chemistry could impact his decision to suit up this year.
“They have an identity this year or things that they felt has clicked for them and has been successful,” Tatum said. “There is a thought in my head, ‘How does that work?’ or ‘How does that look with me integrating myself off with injury and 50, 60 games into a season?’“
Boston holds a 29-18 record after Wednesday night’s loss to the Hawks, and is tied for the second seed in the East while being led by Jaylen Brown, who is averaging career highs in points (29.6), rebounds (6.8), assists (4.9), field goal attempts (22.5), and free throw attempts (7.3) per game. Tatum expressed some concern that his presence could change the dynamic of the team.
“Obviously, there could be some challenges,” he said. “It is a thought like, ‘Damn, do I come back? Or should I wait?’ It’s something that, recently, in the last two weeks or so [I] just kind of contemplate every single day.”
That said, Haynes’ report certainly doesn’t rule out the possibility of Tatum coming back this season if he feels physically and mentally ready to do so. It’s unclear how Tatum’s status might impact the Celtics’ approach to the trade deadline, as there have been reports that the team’s somewhat unexpected success could lead to them being buyers at the deadline, with ducking the luxury tax no longer considered a top priority.
A pretty mature observation by Tatum, although I’m sure some idiots out there will see his introspection and honesty as weakness. He’s definitely not the easiest guy to plug in and play without the team skipping a beat.
Probably best for him to not even think about it at this point. Just focus on the present, then when you’re finally back to 100% and cleared by the staff you can reassess things. But I don’t blame him for thinking about this now given how the team has played.
A guy that plays both offense and defense at near elite levels isn’t easy to plug and play? As much as I love Hauser Tatum is far better. I’d beg to differ. Ultimately it’s up to him, his body, the coaching staff though and the training staff though.
He changes how the offense would function, or at least that’s the concern he’s implying.
Take your prototypical 3nD player. No matter who else is on the court, they’re basically going to do the same thing: run around, take threes, play defense. Plug and play.
Tatum needs the ball in his hands and the offense will not be the same as it is now if he’s on the court. Obviously that’s not a bad thing in a vacuum given his talent, but if you have Tatum playing at 60% of his former skill how much is he really helping on both sides of the ball? He may be healthy enough to play, but typically it takes several months back, if not a full year, before the player reaches their previous level of play. And that’s before you consider the possibility of reinjury even with a cautious approach.
Not saying I agree with him necessarily, just that I understand the thought process.
I look at a guy like Taylor Hendricks as a current example. Different type of injury but a similarly lengthy timetable and delayed return to form. Right now, he’s a step slow on defense and if you didn’t know he suffered such an injury you’d probably think he doesn’t have much of a future in the league. Keep in mind he was already playing significant minutes in the preseason, yet his body still isn’t back to where it was. Not unexpected, but he also won’t be playing in high stakes playoff games
Jamal Murray waited for his ACL tear to fully heal before he came back, I think it would be wise for Tatum to do the same and not rush himself back
Agree. I know Tatum got the surgery early and everything , but thinking about him coming back this year still makes me wince. Just take it easy
Tatum is more or less concerned he’s not the best player on his team. That they’ll do worse *with* him. He’s always been overrated. Brown would be a first team All NBA if he didn’t turn the ball over so much.
Please….
B.S.
-_-
Aircastle, that’s very funny, but don’t give up your day job. Tatum is better than Brown. How good would Brown be if he was called for a foul every time he pushes a defender away to get clear for a shot. If games were reffed these days, he would regularly foul out. Count the times next game. I have, and there are as many as 5 or 6 times a game. His ball handling is weak as well.
Comparing Tatum and Brown is foolishness anyway. Different players with different talents and both are excellent.
And Ray you’re right Brown is not a great ball handler
Celtics are obviously a championship contender with both Brown and Tatum; they aren’t with just one.
Regardless, Tatum should wait and come back strong next year.
I hope he waits.
Still laughing
First things first, make sure you are 100% healthy. After that, its hard to say how much time it would take for the Celtics to adjust to Tatum’s return or him to adjust to how they’re currently playing. On paper they’re a better team with a guy like Tatum, but in reality they’ve been doing fine without him. Take that decision all the way down to the wire, if he’s 100%, if he’s clicking with the rest of the team in practices and the like then I say welcome him back. If it doesn’t mesh or he isn’t sure he’s fully healthy, shut it down.
Rushing back for what???
He should sit out the rest of the year and heal completely. The issue is where does that leave the team. Brown would have been traded for salary cap relief had Tatum not been injured. That may still happen in the upcoming off season.
If he comes back this year, he shouldn’t start.
Maybe he’s having flashbacks from when he and Brown carried the Celtics after Kyrie got hurt, and how adding Kyrie back didn’t go very well.
This is what he’s worried about. Taking the blame for messing up chemistry with his ball dominant style and not shooting well. Who knows if he’ll ever be the same player even.
Why destroy your career for what will be, Tatum or not, an early playoff exit? Good decision, Jayson. See ya in the fall.
Minutes restriction for sure. I don’t believe he needs to come back. This was a year where everyone wrote them off, but helluva coaching job and everyone is playing above their roles. Tatum just needs to focus on being 100% right mentally and physically. When Rose came back, he was scared attacking the hoop and it showed in his FGA inside the paint. Same with Lavine. Some players the trauma of being injured and out for such a long extended period is real. Get well soon JT.
I see Tatum on the bench at every game I watch. I like that a lot. But up close he may be seeing thru this season’s Celtics. He sees even with him they may not have enough. So …
Come back to soon and his career could end sooner than he wants.
Giannis for Tatum (+ a 26 pick if needed)… Tatum will probably gun too many 3′ after his achille tear
not go to work and get paid … easy decision