BOSTON, MA. — LeBron James called the 2017-18 rookie class “probably the best since 2003."
It was a two-way compliment since James was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft followed by Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade at Nos. 3-5.
But his appreciation of this season’s rookies is deserved. They comprise a talented and deep class, and Boston’s Jayson Tatum’s performance in the regular season and playoffs is a shining example.
Living up to the moment, Tatum had 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Boston outscored Cleveland by 27 points with Tatum on the floor in the Celtics’ 108-83 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
It wasn’t a fluke. In the starting lineup on opening night and for 80 regular-season games, Tatum averages 18.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists in the postseason. He’s a two-way player – able to generate offense and defend.
“As he gets more experience, he’s getting better,” Stevens told reporters late in the season. “He’s done a great job working in the weight room. He’s been doing different things to continue to go through the long season, and he’s really, really starting to peak. It’s been fun to watch. He’s a talented guy. He does a lot of good things.”
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The playoffs have been filled with outstanding rookie performances from Ben Simmons' triple-double (the first by a rookie since Magic Johnson in 1980) against Miami to Donovan Mitchell’s 38 points (the most by a rookie in the playoffs since Chuck Person’s 40 in 1987) against Oklahoma City.
Rookies have played a more significant role in the playoffs in recent seasons, but nothing like 2018:
Through Sunday, rookies have started in 52 playoff games, which is the highest in the past 21 seasons. Besides Tatum, Mitchell and Simmons, Toronto’s O.G. Anunoby, Utah’s Royce O’Neal and Boston’s Semi Ojeleye have started in the postseason. Think about this: Boston started two rookies in a playoff game three times.
Three rookies (Mitchell, Tatum, Simmons) averaged at least 16 points in the playoffs, the best since that spectacular 2003-04 class.
Seven rookies played at least 15 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Even headed into the draft a year ago, the draft-eligible players were considered talented and plenty. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who has rookie Bam Adebayo, recalled Heat vice president of player personnel Chet Kammerer telling him how many good players were available.
It started with the lottery picks: Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball, Philadelphia Markelle Fultz, Tatum, Phoenix’s Josh Jackson, Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox, Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen, Dallas’ Dennis Smith Jr., Portland’s Zach Collins, Mitchell and Adebayo.
It continued deep into the first round: Atlanta’s John Collins at No. 19, Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen at No. 22, Anunoby at No. 23 and the Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma at No. 27.
In the second round, Boston selected Ojeleye, Golden State Jordan Bell, Charlotte Dwayne Bacon, Memphis Dillon Brooks and Los Angeles Clippers Sindarius Thornwell.
“If you’re talented enough, coaches will throw you out there,” said former Raptors coach Dwane Casey. “Our organization's and our coaching staff’s decision was to develop and give him (Anunoby) opportunities. He’s going to be our starter for the future so why not go with him now.”
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was so sold on Tatum that he traded the No. 1 pick to Philadelphia for the No. 3 pick and another first-round pick, knowing he wanted to select Tatum and that Tatum would be there at No. 3.
“We probably anticipated at the beginning of the year that he’d be a guy that comes off the bench and plays 20-25 minutes,” Stevens said. “And then we just threw him to the wolves instead.”
Gordon Hayward’s injury against Cleveland in the first game of the season opened the door for Tatum to play more, and Tatum handled the wolves just fine. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia, the Celtics ran plays for Tatum with the game on the line late in the fourth quarter.
“You work all season to earn the trust of your teammates and the coaching staff,” Tatum said. “You’ve just got to go out there and make the right play.”
