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Tony Allen Shares What He Wants Jayson Tatum to Add to His Game
In a wide-ranging conversation, Candace Parker told Inside The Celtics that Jayson Tatum is her pick to take home NBA MVP this season.
It's a popular choice. The four-time All-Star has earned a spot on the All-NBA First Team in two straight years. And as a 25-year-old who turns 26 in March, the former Duke Blue Devil is about to enter his prime.
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He's also coming off a campaign where he averaged career highs in points (30.1), assists (4.6), and rebounds (8.8). Tatum led Boston in all three categories in the playoffs, and in the regular season, he paced the C's in points and rebounds and was second on the team in assists per game.
As he tries to lead the Celtics over the hump, after he and Jaylen Brown have guided them to the Eastern Conference Finals in four of their first six years together and came within two wins of a title, but remain in pursuit of Banner 18, Tony Allen, who helped Boston capture the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2008, shared what he wants to see Tatum add to his game.
"If I could say anything, I think it's that seek-and-destroy mentality," conveyed the six-time All-Defensive team selection to Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in a recent appearance on KG Certified.
"I know I used to look at P, and I used to see three things that was going to happen," continued Allen, "either he was going to get fouled, he was going to score, or he was going to get somebody a bucket, and that's that seek-and-destroy mentality."
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In a conversation worth listening to, the trio also discussed the challenges of having a leadership role, with Garnett mentioning how difficult it was to help everyone else and stay in tune with what they needed while preparing to fulfill his responsibilities as a superstar.
It's something Tatum and Brown will experience more of this season in Marcus Smart's absence. It helps to know they can lean on people like Pierce and Garnett who have gone through what they are about to.
Further Reading
Details of Why Malcolm Brogdon's Upset with Celtics Revealed
Jayson Tatum Preparing for Point-Guard Role This Season
Free-Agent Guard Reached out to Brad Stevens, Expressing Interest in Signing with Celtics
Celtics Reportedly Show Interest in Signing Free-Agent Forward
Brad Stevens Discusses Differences in Joe Mazzulla Entering Year 2 as Celtics' Head Coach
Here's What to Know About Celtics' 2023-24 Schedule
Examining How Celtics' Starting Lineup Might Shapeshift This Season
Why Celtics Should Enter 2023-24 Season Optimistic About Most Important Area of Improvement
