Former Celtics’ player and NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins believes Jayson Tatum is the second-best scorer in the league
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The Boston Celtics had a painful end to their matchup against the Lakers yesterday. They missed two potential game-winners and lost to the Lakers 96-95. Jaylen Brown scored 28 points, and Jayson Tatum added a game-high 30 points along with 9 rebounds, but it was just not enough.
After the game, Kendrick Perkins was all praise for the 22-year-old Boston forward. Tatum was drafted by the Celtics in 2017, and ever since then, Tatum has made steady improvement and is currently playing his best season yet. Tatum is not only a great scorer, but he also does the same with such high efficiency. He also impacts the defensive end of the floor with his presence and is a very versatile player.
Kendrick Perkins calls Jayson Tatum a better scorer than James Harden
According to the former Celtics’ big Kendrick Perkins, Jayson Tatum is the second-best scorer in the league, right behind Kevin Durant.
“I keep saying is that Jayson Tatum is probably the best scorer in the game today, right under Kevin Durant. Offensively, he has zero flaws. There’s nothing that he can’t do and no one could stop him.”
Perkins also added and made a case for why he places Tatum over Harden. According to Perkins, Tatum is a more well-rounded player and can pull up from all 3 spots, than just relying on step-back threes.
“He is, because James Harden, he does a great job of as far as getting to the free-throw line. But when you talk about just a guy that could go get a bucket, we don’t see James Harden pulling up from mid-range shots. We don’t see James Harden going to the low block and having fadeaways and turn arounds over both shoulders. (…) Jayson Tatum could pull up for three just like James Harden can.” Perkins concluded.
“Jayson Tatum is probably the best scorer in the game today right under Kevin Durant. Offensively, he has 0 flaws.” – @KendrickPerkins #Celtics Postgame Live now on @NBCSBoston pic.twitter.com/M3Td0KnIog
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) January 31, 2021
While calling Tatum better than Harden may be a bit premature right now, but Perkins does make some valid points. Maybe over the course of the next few seasons, Tatum can prove himself to be better, as he evolves his game.