Scheyer On Tatum’s Draft Prospects

We’re always intrigued by the gamesmanship in the draft. The teams generally have a clear-eyed understanding of what the prospects are and are not capable of. They know who might be a risk and who is a good bet.

What they don’t know is what the others are thinking and the gamesmanship, manipulation and maneuvering that occur are amazing. In some ways it’s the best part of the draft. You don’t always know who is doing what but everyone is trying to pump someone up or push someone down so they can get the best possible scenario.

So we see a bit of that with Jayson Tatum now as Jon Scheyer notes here. People are questioning his athleticism and his ability to play at the NBA level (no one is questioning his character or work ethic).

First, well, he’s still a teenager. Secondly though he works at it. He’s not nearly the player he will be in a few years.