Jayson Tatum is under the spotlight. The Boston Celtics trail 0-2 in their series against the New York Knicks. Tatum’s performances have disappointed. He admitted his struggles and promised improvement in Game 3. “I take full ownership of the way that I’ve played,” Tatum said. His words were clear. His responsibility, even clearer. Tatum has shot just 12-of-42 from the field. That’s 28.6% through two games. His three-point shooting has dipped to 25%. These numbers don’t match his regular-season form. Tatum isn’t just missing shots—he’s taking bad ones. Instead of attacking mismatches, he often fades away from contact. Against the Knicks, that approach has failed. Jayson Tatum’s response in game 3 must see him return to the things he did all season.
Jayson Tatum’s Response: He Must Ignore The Voices In His Head
Shot Selection Issues
Tatum’s mechanics haven’t been the problem. It’s his decision-making. Too often, he settles for tough, off-balance shots. When he faces a smaller defender like Jalen Brunson, he should dominate. But he doesn’t. Brunson, who is battling an ankle injury, has held his own. Tatum, meanwhile, avoids contact and fades away. That reluctance is costing Boston. Tatum averaged 10.3 free throw attempts in their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. That is down to 4.5 against the Knicks.
He is capable of better. When he drives and stays upright, his efficiency skyrockets. But against the knicks, he’s chosen prayers over process. He launches fallaways when simple, balanced shots would do. He wants to mimic Kobe Bryant’s style, but the execution falters. The result? Empty possessions and frustration.
Celtics Need Their Leader
Tatum isn’t alone. Jaylen Brown has also struggled in crunch time. The duo is 2-for-19 in the fourth quarter this series. The Celtics have blown 20-point leads twice. The Knicks, fueled by resiliency and timely execution, keep coming back. Boston’s offense, built on volume three-point shooting, has gone cold. They’re 25-of-100 from deep in this series.
Coach Joe Mazzulla called for a team-wide improvement. “We all could be better. I could be better,” Mazzulla said. But Boston runs through Tatum. He’s the tone-setter. The team’s spirit and structure depend on him making smart decisions. That’s why the pressure is on his shoulders.
Finding the Right Jayson Tatum Response
Tatum doesn’t need to overhaul his game. He just needs to simplify it. Stay balanced. Attack mismatches. Draw contact. Trust his fundamentals. This isn’t about motivation. It’s about execution. The right Jayson Tatum response won’t come from deep, contested shots. It will come from drives to the hoop, free throws, and smart reads.
The Celtics held a film session to refocus. The message was clear—don’t lose confidence. Don’t let missed shots change the approach. Tatum must remember what worked in the regular season and the previous series. He drove more, finished stronger, and played through contact. That version of him needs to return now.
Legacy Is on the Line
Tatum is already an elite talent. Many rank him among the top four players in the league. But legacy moments define stars. He didn’t win Eastern Conference Finals or NBA Finals MVP during Boston’s title run. That will stick in critics’ minds until he changes the narrative.
Like Steph Curry before 2022, Tatum faces the same challenge. Can he lead when it matters most? Can he deliver in the clutch? The right Jayson Tatum response can silence those doubts. Not just for one game, but for the series and beyond.
Blocking Out the Noise
Social media is loud. Fans and analysts dissect every miss. But Tatum has shown mental toughness throughout his career. He doesn’t need to block out the world. He just needs to ignore the voices in his head—the ones that say he must shoot like Kobe to win.
His game doesn’t require reinvention. It requires discipline. And if he finds it, the Celtics still have a chance. The right Jayson Tatum response begins now.
© David Butler II-Imagn Images
The post Jayson Tatum Must Ignore The Voices In His Head appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.