Rookies have it tough. They're simultaneously trying to prove that they belong in the NBA and trying not to disturb the previously established chemistry of their brand new team. It's a tough balance to strike, and so far this season Jayson Tatum has walked the line perfectly.
If there was any knock on him, it's that he hasn't been aggressive enough. While players like Kyle Kuzma, Donovan Mitchell and Ben Simmons have been given the keys to their respective teams' offenses, Tatum has done his best not to disrupt the culture that the Celtics have built over the past few seasons.
As a result he's been incredibly consistent, but has only yet to crack the surface of his potential. The next step is to start using his impressive offensive skill to take over games, something that rookies like Kuzma and Mitchell have no problem doing, albeit for less talented teams.
Tatum finally started getting more aggressive this week, and his efficiency didn't suffer in the process. He did enough to unseat Kuzma and earn the No. 1 spot for the first time this season.
1 |
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics SF
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Last week: 4 | |
2 |
Kyle Kuzma
Los Angeles Lakers PF
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Last week: No. 1 | |
3 |
Donovan Mitchell
Utah Jazz SG
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Last week: No. 5 | |
4 |
Lonzo Ball
Los Angeles Lakers PG
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Last week: 3 | |
5 |
Ben Simmons
Philadelphia 76ers PG
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Last week: 2 | |
6 |
Jordan Bell
Golden State Warriors PF
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Last week: Unranked | |
7 |
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Sacramento Kings SG
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Last week: Unranked | |
8 |
John Collins
Atlanta Hawks PF
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Last week: Unranked | |
9 |
Bam Adebayo
Miami Heat C
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Last week: 10 | |
10 |
Milos Teodosic
Los Angeles Clippers PG
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Last week: 8 |