When the Boston Celtics began the season with the Big Three of Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford intact, the understanding was that Jayson Tatum would fill a role on the supporting cast similar to what Jaylen Brown experienced towards the end of his rookie campaign in 2016-17.
Then, a gruesome ankle injury in quarter No. 1 of the season to Hayward pulled Tatum into the starting lineup. Now, after the flaring up of Irving’s knee, the loss of Brown to a lingering concussion and offensive ineptitude from Horford, Tatum has been thrust into the spotlight as the Celtics primary weapon on offense.