Jayson Tatum has been a man on a mission this year, leading the Boston Celtics to second in the Eastern Conference standings. On Thursday, it was announced that, for the sixth time in his career, Tatum will be an All-Star. This marks his fifth time starting in the annual showcase.
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Looking at his numbers this season, Tatum has a strong case for MVP consideration. He’s averaging 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal per game. Despite his elite production, his stoic demeanor has sometimes led NBA fans to misunderstand him. Over the years, Tatum has faced criticism that he struggles to rise to the occasion as a team’s number-one option, though his consistent early success suggests otherwise.
The Olympic Games this summer reignited debates around Tatum’s role on the biggest stage. He played limited minutes for Team USA, averaging just 17 minutes, five points, five rebounds, and one assist per game. Many fans were puzzled to see Tatum fall into a secondary role while teammates Derrick White and Jrue Holiday took on much larger responsibilities. As the tournament progressed, Tatum’s minutes never increased, sparking speculation about tension between him and Olympic head coach Steve Kerr.
That tension seemed to linger during the Celtics’ dominant 125-85 win over the Golden State Warriors earlier this week. After the game, Stephen Curry and Tatum had a brief exchange, but Kerr, who also coaches the Warriors, reportedly tried to speak with Tatum while being ignored by Jaylen Brown. Though Kerr later claimed to have spoken with Tatum postgame, the interaction appeared strained.
Charles Barkley, never one to shy away from bold opinions, shared his sarcastic take on “Inside the NBA” after Tatum’s All-Star starter announcement. “Great player, just not good enough to play in the Olympics. One of the five best in the East, but not good enough to represent his country,” Barkley said.
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