Jayson Tatum helped the Boston Celtics secure a second consecutive win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, 113-103. Despite a wretched shooting night from the perimeter, he still found a way to drop 29 points on Charles Lee's team. Tatum took 17 free-throw attempts during that game, hitting 14 of them.
He also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists. With Jaylen Brown sidelined due to a left hip flexor injury, Tatum led the line in true star fashion. When addressing the media during his post-game news conference, Lee praised Tatum's developments over the last few seasons.
“He’s such a dangerous player because he now has the ability to play isolation basketball," Lee said. "He is also trusting his teammates more and more in every situation, so now he’s a willing passer. I think he’s always been capable, and now he’s just even more willing to pass .
..The other thing that I think he’s done a great job of is just having more composure, more poise to him.
You can see it now where you hit him, you trap him, and he gets off of it and you think you can deny him." Lee was the Celtics' lead assistant last season. He spent the year with Tatum, witnessing his growth and greatness up close.
For his former coach to publicly praise him, Tatum must have impressed. To begin the season, the St. Louis native sits tied for 28th in the NBA in total assists, ahead of Luka Doncic (32nd), Jalen Brunson (tied for 38th) and Kyrie Irving (tied for 38th).
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