Boston Celtics’ rookie Jayson Tatum could emulate Scott Pippen, NBA insider claims
JAYSON TATUM has been tipped to become the next Scottie Pippen after the rookie produced a magnificent postseason campaign to drive the Boston Celtics to a seven-game series in the Eastern Conference final against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 20-year-old led his team in scoring during the playoffs in the absence of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, putting up 18.5 points-per-game while becoming a valuable defensive asset in coach Brad Stevens’ system.
His unexpected contribution surprised many – including four-time league MVP James, who labelled the rookie “built for stardom” after coming up against Tatum earlier this week.
Speaking on the most recent edition of the Hoop Collective podcast, NBA writers Royce Young and Andrew Han laid out the case for his potential in the league.
“What is his best case scenario? Is it Kevin Durant? Is it Paul George?” Young asked.
“I feel like his best case scenario is Scottie Pippen 2.0. Scottie Pippen with a three-point shot,” Andrew Han declared.
“He rebounds, he defends.
“He just turned 20 and he is already a pretty good defender. We’re slotting these rookies into some really big shoes.”
Pippen retired in 2004 a six-time NBA champion, having played alongside Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s.
The 52-year-old is now considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time, having made eight All-NBA Defensive First Teams and retiring as the league’s all-time leader in steals.