With the way Jayson Tatum is playing for the Boston Celtics in these playoffs, you’d have a hard time believing he’s a rookie.With All-Star duo Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward out for the entire postseason, the 20-year-old has stepped up to the plate and is playing beyond his years.The Philadelphia 76ers have had no answer for the youngster during their Eastern Conference semi-final series so far.After dropping a career-high 28 points in game one, the small forward added 21 points in a 108-103 win in game two on Thursday night.Tatum’s performances have made many people stand up and take notice, which includes Hall of Famer Julius Erving.Dr. J has been so impressed with what he’s seen from the Duke product that he believes he should’ve been the number one pick in last year’s draft ahead of 76ers guard Markelle Fultz.Tatum has been lighting it up in the playoffs while Fultz has not played a single minute in the series."Tatum probably should have been the first pick in the draft," Erving said in an appearance on ESPN's Get Up! "He was there. I guess it was all about the fit. We took Fultz. Philly took Fultz. Obviously his rookie year, I think he'll be a rookie again next year, sort of like [Ben] Simmons, because of all the injuries."Despite being a Sixers legend, Erving wasn’t afraid of giving his honest opinion, but Fultz brushed it aside when told about the comments."I proved why I should be the number one pick in college and they drafted me as the number one pick," he told Philly.com. "Now, I'm here. All I can do is improve and keep moving from here. That's all it is."Unfortunately for the 19-year-old, he’ll always be linked to Tatum as the Celtics traded the number one pick to Philly in exchange for the number three selection and a future first-round pick.That move is now seen as a stroke of genius by Boston general manager Danny Ainge as many believe they got the better player and an extra pick further down the line.
But it’s unfair to judge Fultz as he’s struggled with a shoulder injury all year and has only featured in a handful of games.
In comparison, Tatum played in 80 games in the regular season, averaging 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. In nine games during the playoffs, he's averaging 17.4 points and 4.7 rebounds.
"Tatum has been awesome," Erving said. "When you get a player who can raise the level of his game come playoff time, then you've got somebody special, because usually after college, it's tough to make it to the next level. That's why only a handful of players really make it to the next level.
"I like Tatum. I like his game. I like what he brings to the table.”
Because of his outstanding play, the Celtics now hold a 2-0 lead over the 76ers as the series shifts over to Philly for Saturday night’s game three.
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