After getting off to a sluggish start, the Celtics have finally hit their stride, winning 14 of their last 16 games while moving comfortably out of play-in territory. Most would attribute the Celtics’ success to their stifling defense, limiting opponents to 104.1 points per game (third-fewest). But in a loaded Eastern Conference, it’s stars that move the needle and Jayson Tatum certainly played like one Sunday, netting 54 points in a win over Brooklyn.
That was Tatum’s second 50 point-game of the season (in January, he erupted for 51 at Washington) and the fourth of his career, tying Larry Bird’s franchise record for most 50-point games. Keep in mind that Thursday was Tatum’s 24th birthday. The 6’8” forward has already played in three All-Star Games, starting the past two for Team Durant. Kevin Garnett will have his number retired this weekend and, based on what we’ve seen of him through five seasons, Tatum seems poised to someday join him in the rafters alongside other Celtics immortals including Paul Pierce, Larry Bird and Bill Russell.
Speaking of Pierce, Tatum’s inspired play of late has sparked debate over who was better in their prime. It’s impossible not to be influenced by recency bias, coming off what many would consider Tatum’s magnum opus, going toe-to-toe with Kevin Durant in one of the more exciting regular-season games you’ll ever see. Tatum will have to stay healthy and motivated, but assuming he stays the course, we’re looking at a player on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory.
There’s no arguing Tatum is a better athlete than Pierce, leaping out of the gym with spectacular dunks and other high-flying heroics. Pierce may not have been a physical marvel in the way Tatum is, but whatever The Truth lacked in raw athleticism, he more than made up for in skill, ranking ninth in career three-pointers while outscoring every Celtic except for John Havlicek.
Though Pierce only scored 50 points on one occasion, he also didn’t carry the same scoring burden as Tatum, at least while sharing the court with Hall-of-Famers Garnett and Ray Allen. Pierce averaged 25.3 points per game in his age-24 season, about a point less than Tatum (26.5). Pierce obviously boasts the better playoff resume, though his supporting cast was stronger, not to mention most of his accomplishments on that front occurred later in his career. Of course, what set Pierce apart was his poise under pressure, acting as the Celtics’ de facto closer with repeated late-game daggers and other game-saving plays. Pierce was also an underrated defender, routinely matching up with LeBron James and other top scorers.
Tatum isn’t the vocal leader Pierce was during his Celtics heyday, though that’s the kind of trait that develops over time. Tatum may not “surpass” Pierce until he wins a championship, but that doesn’t make his meteoric rise, emerging as a scoring prodigy and one of the game’s brightest young talents, any less remarkable.
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