During the Celtics playoff run last spring, Jayson Tatum shot just 28% from behind the arc. Playing for Team USA this summer, Tatum didn’t make a jump shot at all during the Olympics.
I know it is only two preseason games that we won’t remember come next month, but this is an encouraging start.
His once lethal pull-up has turned into a shot that makes me cringe every time he takes it.
Jayson Tatum became a pull-up maestro this season. He shot 39.9 percent on pull-up 3s and ranked in the 88th percentile off the dribble.
Supremely talented shot-maker: pic.twitter.com/Dphrl2oxYY
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) July 1, 2020
That guy has regressed into this over the last 2 seasons:
Most Pull-Up FGA (Playoffs):
1. Doncic: 244 FGA—48.0 eFG%
2. Brunson: 197—45.4%
3. Edwards: 171—52.6%
4. SGA: 142—57.7%
5. Kyrie: 139—52.9%
6. Tatum: 129—39.9%
7. Haliburton: 121—54.1%
8. Murray: 108—45.4%
9. Mitchell: 104—54.3%
10. Garland: 87—51.1%What stands out? pic.twitter.com/deLfVrBRSL
— NBA University (@NBA_University) June 4, 2024
*Highest Pull-Up 3P%*
1. Steph: 45.1%—337 FGA
2. Buddy: 43.8%—194
3. Huerter: 41.6%—161
4. Bane: 40.1%—192
5. Klay: 40.0%—185
6. Hali: 39.7%—307
7. J. Murray: 39.3%—244
8. Spida: 39.2%—388
9. Garland: 39.1%—233
10. Maxey: 38.7%—155
.
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46. Tatum: 29.1%—357
47. Brooks: 27.1%—155 pic.twitter.com/rHAbFmlu2Y— NBA University (@NBA_University) August 6, 2023
His passing and ability to get to the rim and then finish have improved too much for him to settle the way he has over the last two years for what is analytically a bad shot.
However, over the first two preseason games, Tatum has made his jumpers.
There is a reason people are talking about Tatum’s jump shot being back. He tweaked it with his trainer Drew Hanlen this summer, something he talked about after Sunday’s blowout win.
Am I going to overreact to two preseason games in which Tatum shot 43% on threes and say the pull up 3 is back? Yes. Yes, I am. It looks a lot smoother and should it stick, the Celtics can become even more dangerous than they already were.
