After a breakout rookie campaign in which he helped lead the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals, it was expected for Jayson Tatum to take the leap during his second year in the NBA that seemingly all stars make at some point early in their careers.
It didn’t come close to happening for Tatum last season with his play regressing instead of taking steps forward.
But just 14 games into his third season with the Celtics, Tatum’s play is on the ascent. And with another sensational performance Wednesday night, this time coming against Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers — two players Tatum hopes he one day reaches the status of — the 21-year-old forward is in the midst of taking the highly coveted leap into permanent stardom.