As he prepares to begin his fourth year, it’s fair to say that — from a talent standpoint — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum hasn’t yet hit his ceiling.
Apparently, according to his head coach Brad Stevens, vertically, he may not have, either.
On Sunday, Stevens made news when he let it be known that Tatum, whose listed height is 6-foot-8, has miraculously grown and is now standing taller at 6-foot-10. If true, it’s bad news for those who will be trying to slow Tatum down on the defensive side of the basketball.
Considering the fact that Tatum’s per-game scoring averages have increased from 13.9 points as a rookie to 15.7 points as a sophomore to 23.4 points last season, the additional height could help give him a leg up on his competition.
Brad Stevens says Jayson Tatum has grown to 6'10.
— BostonCelticsForever (@BostonCelts4eva) December 13, 2020
For what it’s worth, the Celtics’ official roster on the team’s website still lists Tatum as 6-foot-8, and the Utah Jazz’s Donovan Mitchell isn’t buying the fact that Tatum is now approaching Giannis Antetokounmpo in the height category.
Bruh why are we lying like this @jaytatum0 😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/oNyO0VKcZa
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 14, 2020
The Celtics will play their first preseason game on Tuesday when the team travels to Philadelphia to do battle with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
A good test as to whether Tatum truly has grown or not will be how he stacks up against Ben Simmons.
That in and of itself might make a meaningless preseason game all the more intriguing.
