Skip to main content

USA Basketball scrimmage: Jayson Tatum wears Paul Pierce's #34 - and plays like him

Jayson Tatum did nothing to dispel the past and future Paul Pierce comparisons. In the Blue Team's 97-78 win over the White Team from last night's USA Basketball scrimmage, Tatum donned The Truth's #34 - and played like him.

Jayson scored on drives, treys and post-ups - garnering a team-high 17 points on 6-of-8 from the field and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers. He also managed to haul down four rebounds in 16 minutes of play.

What was most notable was the lack of hesitation when Tatum got the ball. He constantly made the pass, shot or drive without thinking about it. It is only one game, but I saw a veteran's confidence in his play. And we got a slight glimpse of what Jayson can do if turned loose. Pierce was dangerous on the offensive end because he could score in so many ways. Tommy Heinsohn called Paul the best Celtics offensive player of all time. That may be debatable, but it looks like Pierce may have competition for that accolade down the road. Tatum really shined in this one.





Kemba Walker also distinguished him self in this contest, coming away with 12 points and four assists. Watching Kemba closely, it is obvious that he seems to take a page out of Bob Cousy's book. Walker, at least in this game, often went with the long outlet pass, much like Cousy used to do, as opposed to getting possession and dribbling the length of the floor. If that continues in the regular season, we can expect more fast breaks.

Jaylen Brown had a quiet game. He only scored two points and added one rebound. Marcus Smart sat out the game with a lingering calf issue, but it appears he will remain on the USA Basketball roster for now. Look for that in a separate article.

Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_CelticsCenter






Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Elm Street Nightmare

 A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.)  Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube   Elm Street  surfaces on six (6) occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He  resided on Elm Street  in Townsend, Massachusetts  2.) He  kidnapped a woman  at gunpoint on  Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) That kidnapped woman fled to the Gillogly residence on Elm Street after escaping from the armed fugitive, Laplante. 4.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 5.) He was  tried, convicted   and sentenced for the murders at  Superior Court , corner of  Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. 6.) The author, Thomas Lane, lived on Elm Steet, Pepperell, Massachusetts while a police Sgt./Lt. for the t...

Did the Celtics Kevin McHale really have a wingspan of 8-feet?

According to many sources, the Celtics Kevin McHale did indeed have an estimated wingspan of 8-feet. One of those sources is Wikipedia, as seen below: Kevin McHale American basketball player DescriptionKevin Edward McHale is an American retired basketball player who played his entire professional career for the Boston Celtics. He is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and is regarded as one of the best power forwards of all time. He was named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. Wikipedia Born: December 19, 1957 (age 61 years), Hibbing, MN Wingspan: 8′ 0″ Height: 6′ 10″ Spouse: Lynn McHale (m. 1982) NBA draft: 1980, Boston Celtics (Round: 1 / Pick: 3) Hall of fame induction: 1999 Number: 32 (Boston Celtics / Power forward, Center) Kevin was listed at 6'10" tall when he was drafted with the 3rd pick in the 1980 draft. Red Auerbach, in yet another heist, brought in both McHale and center Robert Parish (via trade) prior to the Celtics' 1980-81 Champion...

A sorrowful farewell to Kitty's Restaurant (North Reading, MA) as a family tradition

  Time to say "Goodbye" to Kitty's Restaurant - my   family's destination and tradition for six generations and more than 80 years. My memories of Kitty's go back to the early-1950's . I would accompany my dad and grandfather on fishing trips to the Ipswich River in North Reading, Massachusetts - followed by a visit to the restaurant on Main Street. In later years, my wife, Linda, and I would eat there with our two kids, Marc and Lisa - and years later - with our two grand daughters - and still later - with our great grandson, Carson. Author and family at Kitty's approx. 10 years ago Kitty's never disappointed. The drinks were big and well-made . The food was terrific - as were the portions. The service was exceptional and we became well-acquainted with the waiters and waitresses. It all worked so very well for many decades. My grand daughter, Courtney , was particularly fond of the restaurant. She was born with cystic fibrosis , and during her fr...