Jayson Tatum Has A Big Night Against Philly

Jayson Tatum came out of Duke with a shot at being a real good NBA player but he’s gone beyond that and is on the verge of becoming an elite NBA forward.

Take his playoff game against Philly, the team that traded him to Boston for the right to pick Markell Fultz, for instance.

Tatum had a game Larry Bird would respect, shooting 12-20, 8-12 from thee point range for 33 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Meanwhile, Philly, a team that has been missing a reliable outside shooter since JJ Redick departed, shot just 5-21 overall from three point range and lost 128-101.

Think they’re regretting that trade? Tatum would have given them a superb outside presence.

Philly is in a bit of unhappiness right now. The general sentiment is that Joel Embeed and Ben Simmons don’t work well together, a lot of people don’t think Al Horford was a smart acquisition and of course there is the afore-mentioned outside shooting.

Fair or not, a lot of the anger is being focused on GM Elton Brand. Brand didn’t run the team when the Tatum trade happened but he has been the GM since 2018 and the moves since then are on his watch.

He’s a very smart guy so we hope Philly gives him time to make some moves.

His life would be a lot happier if the 76ers had just taken Tatum first.

• Celtics vs. 76ers score, takeaways: Sixers have no answer for Jayson Tatum in Game 2; Joel Embiid needs help
• Sixers lose as Jayson Tatum nets 33 points, and Celtics roll, 128-101, for a 2-0 series lead
• WATCH: Celtics’ Jayson Tatum hits crazy half-court shot vs. 76ers in Game 2
• Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics bench, shine in Game 2 rout of Philadelphia 76ers; 3 things we learned
• Jayson Tatum wore these awesome Larry Bird-themed shorts to Celtics vs. 76ers Game 2
• Observations as Celtics dominate 76ers to take 2-0 series lead
• Celtics’ Kemba Walker declares Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown as true ‘superstars’