Jayson Tatum: The Perfect Wing Player For Today's Game of Basketball (Full Breakdown)

Summary

This video breaks down Jayson Tatum's game, emphasizing his versatility as an elite wing player in today's NBA. It highlights his ability to create and make difficult shots with minimal space, especially using his signature side-step dribble. Tatum's shooting prowess, particularly from three-point range, and his skill in reading defenders make him a tough player to guard. The video also showcases his high basketball IQ, his patience in pick-and-roll situations, and his ability to finish at the rim with finesse. Overall, Tatum's well-rounded offensive game makes him a standout player.

Takeaways

• 🏀 Jason Tatum has made consistent improvements every year, establishing himself as a centerpiece on a title-contending team.
• 💪 Tatum is a tough player to guard because he needs very little space to get his shot off, which he hits at a high percentage.
• 🔥 One of his go-to moves is a sidestep dribble to create separation, particularly effective off a ball screen and in post-up situations.
• 🎯 Tatum is versatile and can shoot from either side of the court, with a deadly step-back, especially against smaller defenders.
• 🎯 He's a 40% three-point shooter, presenting major problems for defenses, which struggle to both crowd him and stop his shot.
• 🏃‍♂️ Tatum’s quick shooting release makes it difficult for defenders to contest, allowing him to shoot over them even when closely guarded.
• ⛹️‍♂️ Tatum's ability to drive past defenders, aided by his shooting threat, forces defenders to play up on him, opening driving lanes.
• 🧠 He demonstrates high basketball IQ, being patient off screens and making decisions based on defensive reactions, often leading to easy buckets.
• 🤯 His controlled fadeaway in the mid-range adds another layer to his scoring, making him unpredictable and versatile.
• 🌟 Tatum’s ability to finish at the rim, combined with his touch using floaters, makes him a scoring threat from all four levels on the court.

Q & A

What makes Jayson Tatum such a tough player to guard?

Jayson Tatum is tough to guard because he needs very little space to get his shot off and is efficient even when shooting with limited room. He can create separation easily and hits those shots at a high percentage.

What is one of Jayson Tatum's go-to moves for creating separation?

One of his go-to moves is the side step dribble, which he uses to create separation after reading his defender. He often uses it coming off a ball screen or in post-up situations.

How does Jayson Tatum utilize his side step in different situations?

Tatum uses the side step dribble both to the right and the left, depending on the situation. Going right, he faces up and steps after a dribble, while going left, he uses a more traditional step-back move, especially against smaller defenders.

What challenges does Tatum’s shooting ability pose for defenses?

Tatum’s shooting, especially from three-point range (40% shooter), forces defenders to crowd him to take away his shot. This opens up driving lanes and makes it harder for defenders to contest his quick release.

How does Tatum's step-back three create problems for defenders?

Tatum’s quick between-the-leg step-back three-pointer makes it hard for defenders to close out in time. Even when they manage to contest, Tatum’s release is so fast that the shot is often already in motion.

How has Tatum’s mid-range game evolved over time?

Earlier in his career, Tatum relied more on mid-range fadeaways, particularly in post-up situations. While he still uses this move, he now combines it with his improved shooting and driving abilities to be more versatile.

Why is shooting off the dribble important for elite wing scorers in the NBA, and how does Tatum excel at this?

Shooting off the dribble is key for elite wing scorers because it allows them to be a threat even with defenders close by. Tatum excels at this, hitting threes off dribble handoffs or ball screens, forcing defenders into difficult decisions.

What are some high IQ plays that Tatum makes when coming off a ball screen?

Tatum shows great patience when coming off screens, often slowing down to create contact with his defender before exploding toward the rim or setting up a pass. His ability to read the defense and create options for himself or the roll man demonstrates his high basketball IQ.

How does Tatum use pace to maximize his strengths in the pick-and-roll?

Tatum uses a controlled pace, slowing down after coming off a screen to assess defensive reactions. This allows him to either exploit mismatches, create separation for a shot, or make smart passes to teammates, making him difficult to defend.

What finishing abilities does Tatum possess around the rim?

Tatum has excellent touch around the rim, using floaters and controlled finishes to score in close-range situations. His ability to finish at all four levels—at the rim, with floaters, in mid-range, and from three—makes him a complete scorer.