Some time ago, I placed Jayson Tatum's ceiling somewhere between that of Paul Pierce and Larry Bird.
With Tatum just being tagged a Eastern Conference Player of the Week, it may be time to compare their 5th-season stats.
Pierce:
39.2 MPG - 25.9 PPG - 7.3 RPG - 4.4 APG - 1.8 SPG - .416 FG - .302 3s - .802 FT
Tatum:
36.2 MPG - 26.5 PPG - 8.2 RPG - 4.2 APG - 0.9 SPG - .438 FG - .334 3s - .849 FT
The numbers don't tell the whole story, but Jayson gets the nod in 5-of-the-7 categories for both stars in their fifth seasons in the NBA. What Tatum doesn't have (yet) are Paul's Championship ring (2008) or his Finals MVP Award for the same season.
Make of it what you will, and I had to refrain from digging into Tatum's stats since the New year when he and his teammates have surged in the rankings. I have a special affection of The Truth, but Jayson may just surpass what Paul accomplished in Boston.
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