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Paul Pierce lived for contact. Jayson Tatum avoids it.

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 Former-Celtics great, Paul Pierce, ranks 9th on the NBA's  all-time list for career made free throws. He made 6,918 freebies in his 19-year career. 


The next long-term Celtic on that list is John Havlicek (5,369), followed by Kevin Garnett (4,887). The Truth would take-and-make mid-range shots and 3-pointers, but he never shied away from (actually thrived on) driving to the hoop for the score or the frequent foul. Not so for Jayson Tatum - at least thus far.

A rough calculation shows Jayson ending a 19-year career with a total of 4,545 free throws made - far shy of what Pierce put up. Tatum is slighter-of-build and not as strong as Paul, but is the better athlete. Whereas Pierce would fight through contact, Tatum avoids it. 

Pierce was listed at 6'7" and 235 pounds. Tatum is listed at 6'8" and 210 pounds.  Jayson may never achieve Paul's bulk, strength and toughness, but I would be surprised if he failed to edge past The Truth in combined skills and production in the next several years. And if what we read about Jayson's off-season strength regimen is true, we may see more free throws from him this season.

 

 


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