Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are currently preparing for the 2024 NBA playoffs, hoping to secure their first championship since the 2008 season. The Celtics had a successful regular season, finishing with the most wins in the league. Tatum played a crucial role in integrating new co-stars Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis into the team while maintaining his All-NBA level performance.

One criticism that has been directed at the Celtics, particularly Tatum, over the years is their tendency to falter in end-of-game situations during the playoffs. In the 2023 playoffs, there were instances where the Celtics struggled in crunch time, raising doubts about Tatum’s ability to perform under pressure.

However, renowned NBA trainer Drew Hanlen has recently defended Tatum against the “Tatum isn’t clutch” narrative. Hanlen pointed out that Tatum has one of the best clutch numbers in the NBA over the past five years. He highlighted significant moments in Tatum’s career, such as his outstanding performance against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6, scoring 46 points to help the Celtics win and advance in the playoffs. Hanlen emphasized that there are few players he would trust more than Tatum to have the ball in his hands in crucial moments.

The question of whether Tatum is clutch depends on how one defines the term. As Hanlen explained, Tatum has delivered in high-pressure games throughout his career. However, some critics аrgue that Tatum’s shot selection, particularly his tendency to rely on isolation-heavy plays, may not always be the best strategy in close games. They suggest that passing the ball to his talented teammates might yield better results.

While Tatum admires the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant and may draw inspiration from him, it is important to note that Bryant was one of the few players in NBA history for whom holding the ball until the end of the clock and taking a contested fadeaway jumper was considered an optimal possession. Despite Tatum’s greatness, there is now a large enough sample size to conclude that he does not possess the same level of clutchness as players like Bryant.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding Tatum’s clutchness continues, with supporters highlighting his significant performances in critical moments, while critics point to his shot selection in close games. Only time will tell how Tatum and the Celtics perform in the upcoming playoffs and whether he can silence the doubters.