Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
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Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum‘s recovery from an Achilles tendon tear during the Eastern Conference semifinals appears to be going well.
The Boston Celtics superstar has been seen walking without a boot in recent weeks and has also been uploading numerous videos from his work in the weight room.
During a recent appearance on the “Celtics Talk” podcast, Celtics forward Jordan Walsh provided a positive update on the All-Star’s recovery.
“We’ve seen him so often,” Walsh said. “I’ve seen him from when he messed up his Achilles to now, and it’s a big difference. He’s moving around way better. So, he’s progressing well. I’m definitely happy to see him getting back healthy. To see him in the gym definitely sets a precedent for everybody else. If a guy is hurt and trying to get back, then you can do the same thing. Like, you’re perfectly healthy, you should be doing the same thing.”
Tatum is expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season. Achilles injuries have a long and difficult road to being back on the court. Fortunately for Tatum, he underwent surgery less than 24 hours after suffering the injury, and that should bode well for his chances of reaching the All-NBA level he was playing at before getting hurt.
Celtics’ Derrick White Excited Over New Additions
Tatum’s injury certainly had a knock-on effect. Brad Stevens has made multiple trades this summer, as he began a retooling process in Boston. As such, there are several new faces on the roster, with most of them being inexperienced.
In a recent episode of the “White Noise” podcast, Derrick White revealed that Boston’s new additions are already in the city and working on their games.
“Obviously, we’ve got training camp and everything, and I’ve heard everybody is already out there (in Boston) pretty much, so they’re already probably getting a start,” White said. “But then we’re just hooping. We’ve got a bunch of competitors.”
The Celtics will look very different next season, including the style of basketball they play. Joe Mazzulla will have his work cut out if he wants the Celtics to remain competitive despite the recent talent drain.
Derrick White Expecting Celtics To Adjust Systems
During the same podcast episode, White admitted that he expects the Celtics to approach things differently in the upcoming campaign. He noted how the roster is younger, and a lot of the championship roster has now left the franchise.
“It’s definitely going to be different. It has to be,” White explained. “We lost KP, Jrue, Luke, and obviously JT being out. So, you lose three out of five starters. And even Al. So it’s definitely going to change. We’re a younger team.”
The Celtics have gotten younger during the offseason. Therefore, it’s fair to expect them to operate at a higher tempo next season, especially after the Indiana Pacers had such great success with their breakneck pace this past season.
There’s also a chance Mazzulla moves away from the three-point-heavy offense he’s implemented in recent years. Boston’s roster boasts multiple slashers now, and a more downhill approach could be a smart pivot.
No matter what, the Celtics will be looking for development from the new additions, as Stevens decides who stays and who goes, as he continues to try to build another contending roster.