After initially behind assigned the number 34 jersey, a number well-known as the one worn by former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce throughout his career, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has switched his jersey number to 10 in light of Team USA finalizing it’s roster cuts.
Interestingly enough, Tatum has been compared to Pierce because of their versatile and dynamic scoring abilities.
Frankly, Pierce was the better all-around player, not only hitting the glass (which Tatum has been surprisingly adept at early on his career) but facilitating and playing solid defense. Nonetheless, Tatum is undoubtedly one of Boston’s best draft picks of the millennium and as evidenced by his performance in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, has the potential to be featured player — if not the number one option — on a championship team.
Tatum notably struggled in Team USA’s last two exhibitions, going a combined 4-19 (21.0 percent) from the field and forcing the issue far too often. Largely relegated to the second unit, he averaged 5.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 19.0 minutes per game in exhibition play.
He’ll look to bounce back once the group phase begins and perhaps a change to a number that looks for like the one he wears with the Celtics (number 0) will help spur that.
Although, the forward did wear his new jersey against Canada, when he went 2-11 from the field in forgettable minutes.
