The Boston Celtics gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a resounding slap in the face in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2024 NBA playoffs, beating their opponents by a huge margin of 25 points. In particular, the two stars of the Green Army, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White, have performed well, while Jayson Tatum, who is usually in the spotlight, is a bit of an obscure "old three" this time.
In this game, although Jayson Tatum's statistics are quite comprehensive, 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, it looks like a beautiful number. But the problem is that his shooting percentage is not high, only 7 of 19 shots from the field, and zero of 5 three-point shots, which is indeed a bit embarrassing in a modern basketball arena full of shooters. In comparison, Jaylen Brown's 32 points and Derrick White's 25 points were even more shining, and their efficient performances almost overshadowed Tatum's brilliance.
Now the question is, has Tatum really become the team's "third"? This statement may be a bit excessive. Don't forget, this is a big name who has played a leading role in the playoffs many times. However, the various discussions and analyses after the game seemed to point to the idea that Tatum may really need to regain his place in the starry light of the Green Army.
Let's take a look at the specifics of this game first. From the first quarter, the Greens showed their team strength. In the first quarter, Jaylen Brown and Derrick White combined to score and quickly helped the team build a lead. And although Tatum also contributed, he obviously did not achieve the usual "lighthouse on the court" effect.
Entering the second quarter, the Green Army's defense became tighter, and the Cavaliers' offense was repeatedly blocked. At this time, some of Tatum's defensive moves were still very crucial, such as his wonderful block, which directly led to a fast-break score. But in the transition between offense and defense, Tatum's performance on the offensive end is a little inadequate.
In the second half, Jaylen Brown was still hot, hitting several key shots in a row to widen the score gap. Not to be outdone, Derrick White is a threat with his outside shots and breakaways. And Tatum, despite his efforts to find his form, has never been able to play his trademark highlight.
After the game, many fans and commentators were discussing whether Tatum's performance meant that his role in the team was changing. Of course, a game's performance doesn't exactly define a player, but it does give us some direction to think about. Tatum needs to prove in the next games that he is still the leader who can lead the team in crunch time.
Overall, while this game was a perfect win for the Greens, it was probably more of a wake-up call for Tatum personally. He needs to get back to his best form and prove that he is the indispensable boss of the team, not the third that anyone can replace.
We look forward to Tatum waking up in the next games and responding to the doubts of the outside world with wonderful performances. At the same time, it is also hoped that the entire Green Army can maintain their current good form, and their teamwork and tactical execution are the key to their higher glory.
In such a game, every player can be a hero or a target of criticism. But that's the beauty of sports, isn't it? Every game is a new beginning, and every touch of the ball is full of possibilities. Let's stay tuned to Tatum and his team to see how far they can go and what glory they can create.