Jeremy Lin has seen a lot of basketball in his life, both as a player and now as an analyst. When he talks about Jayson Tatum, especially Tatum's play since his return to the court, you listen. Lin, on "NBA Today," didn't just point to the box score, though those numbers are impressive enough. He talked about something deeper, something in Tatum's eyes.
Since rejoining the Celtics lineup, Tatum has been on a tear. In the first 10 games back, he averaged 30.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. That's not just good; that's MVP-level production. But it's not just the raw output. Lin noted the efficiency, the decision-making, the way Tatum is letting the game come to him rather than forcing the issue. Remember the early season struggles? The Celtics, at one point, were hovering around .500, a far cry from their championship aspirations. Tatum's usage rate was high, but sometimes it felt like he was trying to carry the entire team on his back, leading to forced shots and turnovers.
What Lin highlighted is a subtle yet profound shift in Tatum's mentality. It's less about individual heroics and more about orchestrating the offense. Take the game against the Mavs on March 1st. Tatum had 32 points, but more importantly, he dished out 10 assists, many of them to wide-open teammates created by his penetration. That's a different Tatum than the one who sometimes settled for contested fadeaways earlier in the season. He's still taking those shots when necessary, but they're fewer, and they're better. His true shooting percentage has climbed to over 60% in this stretch, a significant jump from his early season numbers.
Here’s the thing: superstars evolve. They learn to blend their individual brilliance with the needs of the team. Lin understands this firsthand; he's played with and against some of the best. He sees Tatum now making the extra pass, trusting Kristaps Porzingis in the post, and letting Jaylen Brown attack off the dribble. It’s a quiet confidence, a belief that his moment will come within the flow of the game, rather than needing to create it every single possession. This isn't just about scoring; it's about control. It’s about understanding the rhythm of the game and bending it to your will without overtly dominating the ball.
This isn't to say Tatum wasn't a leader before. He was. But his leadership now feels more mature, more assured. It's less about vocal demands and more about consistent, high-level play that elevates everyone around him. The Celtics' defensive rating has also improved, partly because Tatum isn't expending all his energy on offense and can commit more on the other end. He’s averaging 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks since his return, demonstrating that two-way commitment.
My hot take? This version of Jayson Tatum, the one Jeremy Lin is seeing, is the most dangerous version we've witnessed yet because he's no longer just a scorer. He’s a complete player, a true orchestrator. He's learned that sometimes, the loudest statement is made with the quietest efficiency. The Celtics, currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a commanding record, are benefiting immensely from this evolution.
I predict Jayson Tatum will finish top-three in MVP voting this season, and the Celtics will secure the best record in the NBA by at least five games.