Jeremy Lin, sitting on the "NBA Today" set, had that familiar glint in his eye when Jayson Tatum's name came up. He’s been watching the Celtics forward closely, especially since Tatum’s return from that nagging wrist issue. Lin knows what it takes to perform under pressure, to carry a franchise, and he sees something different in Tatum now. It’s not just the improved shot selection or the uptick in assists; it's deeper.
Lin pointed out Tatum’s numbers since rejoining the lineup in mid-January. Before his brief absence, Tatum was averaging 26.8 points on 47% shooting. In the 15 games post-return, he’s up to 28.5 points, still on 47% from the field, but his assists have jumped from 4.4 to 5.6 per game. That might not sound like a massive leap, but it reflects a crucial shift. He’s not forcing it as much. Remember that game against the Lakers on February 1st? Tatum dropped 44 points, but more importantly, he dished out 9 assists and only turned the ball over twice. That’s the kind of balanced aggression Lin is talking about.
Lin emphasized that Tatum isn't trying to be someone he's not. Early in his career, you’d see flashes of him trying to emulate Kobe, taking those contested fadeaways. Now, it feels more organic. Take the Celtics' road trip in early February. They won five straight, including tough matchups against the Warriors and Suns. Tatum wasn't just scoring; he was controlling the pace, making the right reads. Against Golden State on February 10th, he had 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. He didn't dominate the ball, but he was undeniably the engine.
Real talk: Tatum used to get rattled when his shot wasn't falling. You could see the frustration boil over, leading to more forced shots. Lin believes that mental hurdle has largely been cleared. He's still going to have off nights – everyone does. But the way he's responding to them has changed. He’s trusting his teammates more, understanding that a double-team on him opens up a clean look for Jaylen Brown or Kristaps Porzingis. That’s maturity.
It’s easy to look at the stats and say Tatum is just being Tatum. But Lin dove into the subtle cues. He mentioned Tatum’s body language during timeouts. Less head-shaking, more active listening. Less isolated play, more orchestrating. The Celtics went on a 10-2 run through February, a stretch where Tatum averaged 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Those aren't just good numbers; they’re winning numbers. He's not just a scorer anymore; he’s a complete offensive threat who makes everyone around him better.
Lin even brought up the defensive end. Tatum's always been capable, but he's been more engaged, more consistent since his return. He’s averaging just under a steal and a block per game this season, but the effort on close-outs and switches has been noticeably higher. Against Miami on February 11th, he had 2 blocks and was a menace on the perimeter, helping limit Jimmy Butler to just 17 points. That two-way commitment is a hallmark of true superstars, and Lin thinks Tatum is finally embracing it consistently.
Here's the thing: Tatum isn't a loud, in-your-face leader. He never has been. Lin sees his leadership manifesting in a different way now – through consistent performance and a calm demeanor, especially when things get tight. The Celtics had a few nail-biters in February, like the 118-110 win over the Knicks where Tatum scored 10 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter. He didn't panic. He just executed.
Lin’s hot take? This version of Jayson Tatum, the one who understands when to attack and when to facilitate, the one who doesn't let a missed shot derail his entire game, is the one who will finally lead the Celtics to a championship. He's shed the burden of needing to prove he's the best player on the floor every single possession. He just needs to be the best *team* player, and that's exactly what Lin sees.
I predict the Celtics, with Tatum leading this quietly confident charge, will finish the regular season with the best record in the Eastern Conference by at least five games.