"Need to shoot the ball better": Jayson Tatum agrees to shooting struggles in first two games of 2024 NBA Finals
Boston Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum has been having a steady all-around game in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks but admits he could be better in the shooting department. In the two games he has played so far, the All-NBA First Team member has been averaging 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8.5 assists in 44 minutes of play.
He, however, is shooting only 31.6% (12-of-38) and 28.6% from deep (4-of-14). Jayson Tatum took time to address his shooting woes on Tuesday, ahead of Game 3 on Wednesday, underscoring that while he is aware of the percentages, he is making sure he makes up for it in other departments and helps his team win.
"I do need to shoot the ball better," Tatum said. "I wouldn't disagree with anybody on that. But I'm not letting it bother me. I'm still trying to find ways to impact the game in other areas, to dominate and impact the game."
Adding:
"And I understand that it could take one game. One game I could explode and the percentage and all those things could change. And just that mindset that I'm a game away, or whatever that means. Like what I said, I know how it is to be in this position and lose, and this time around I'm trying to do anything and everything possible to have a different outcome..."
Despite Jayson Tatum's offensive struggles, the rest of the Celtics is picking up the slack with fellow All-Star Jaylen Brown leading the charge with 21.5 points per game.
Veteran guard Jrue Holiday has been steady with 19 points while Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis are good for 16.5 and 16 points, respectively.
Jayson Tatum not letting ego get in the way of what they want to accomplish
Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics' best offensive player for much of the ongoing NBA season, is not allowing that idea to consume him in their quest for the NBA title.
Admittedly having his offensive struggles in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, 'JT' is still staying within their system and letting others also shine while doing his share in other departments with much effectiveness.
He told of his current mindset, by way of the Boston Herald:
"We've got a bunch of shooters on our team and guys that can space the floor... So it wasn't like I had to do anything spectacular. It was just about finding the open guy... There are going to be times where I need to score, and obviously, I need to shoot better -- golly. But really, we always talk about 'do whatever it takes for however long it takes.'"
His efforts are not going unnoticed, with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla giving props to him by saying:
"Jayson makes greatness look easy. He does it in a lot of different ways ... He's a tremendous player, and it's hard to coach him. When he has the ability to affect the game in different ways, we're a different team."
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics will try to bury the Mavericks to a 3-0 hole and move a win away from the NBA title in Game 3 of the Finals on Wednesday in Dallas.