"He's not a good enough offensive engine" - NBA analyst cites key reason why Jayson Tatum is not considered a Top 5 NBA talent
Jayson Tatum is representing Team USA in the ongoing Olympics after winning the gold medal in the Tokyo Games. The Boston Celtics star came off a strong NBA season where he won his first championship, playing a key role in his team's success.
After missing the first game of the Olympic tournament against Serbia, the debate about Tatum being a top-five talent in the league resurfaced. The forward has been criticized for many years now, despite being one of the best players in the league. NBA analyst Jason Timpf made the case against Tatum belonging to the elite of the NBA.
"The point is, Jason Tatum, while I do believe he's a top 10 player, has benefited from being on the most talented rosters in the league," Timpf said. "This has led to incredible team results, which has led to incredible individual metrics, which has led to him getting a lot of voting support in the all-NBA voting.
"In my opinion, he is not one of the top five players in the NBA. He's not a good enough offensive engine in the half court to be that," Timp added.
[2:24 mark]
Tatum has gotten better over the years, establishing himself as a terrific player in the association. After winning the 2024 NBA championship following eliminations in the NBA Finals and Eastern Conference Finals in previous years, Tatum finally got over the hump, but the criticism doesn't seem to be stopping.
NFL legend says Jayson Tatum doesn't have an "aura"
NFL legend Chad Johnson spoke about Jayson Tatum potentially being the face of the NBA. The Cincinnati Bengals icon sees other players like Ja Morant or Anthony Edward as more deserving of that honor.
"Ja [Morant] and Ant [Edwards] could be the face of the league, but Jayson Tatum doesn't have the cache and personality and the aura," Johnson said.
"Look at Magic Johnson, look at Michael Jordan, Look at Kobe [Bryant], Look at the personalities, look at the attitude, look at the aura, the way they carry themselves. [He's] not even close to them. I can see an Ant-Man. Everybody would gravitate towards that."
After Tatum called out haters in the wake of the 2024 NBA Finals, people seem to be doubting him again.