Bradley Beal on Jayson Tatum: 'He’s a key piece to the Celtics'

Jayson Tatum was one of seven Celtics players to finish scoring in double-figures, as Boston beat the Wizards 107-96 to snap a four-game losing streak on Friday.

Though Tatum didn't have a particularly strong shooting night, going 4-of-13 from the field for 10 points, the Celtics forward also grabbed 8 rebounds and tied a career-high with 5 steals to go along with 3 assists in his team's first win since the All-Star break.

After the game Wizards' guard and Tatum's long-time friend Bradley Beal spoke about the Celtics second year forward and had nothing but high praise for the 20-year-old.

"He’s good, man, said Beal, who finished with a game-high 29 points and 11 rebounds. "I don’t like talking about him because I’m biased and I don’t want you guys to think … but he’s really talented. He’s a special player, and he just has so much more room to grow, and I think that’s the scary part of his game. Everybody sees how effective he is and what he’s done in a year and a half, and he has 15 more years to play. He’s got a long way to go, I’m happy for him, but he’s a key piece to the [Celtics]."

Beal knows that Tatum is in a unique situation playing alongside veterans like Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. Though it's been an adjustment for Tatum in his sophomore season, especially being subject of trade rumors, Beal believes Boston is where his buddy belongs.

"It’s tough because he had a lot of success last year, a lot last year, said Beal. "I know he may be pressuring himself in having Kyrie [Irving] back and having Gordon [Hayward] back. It’s tough, I always say it tough because you have so many talented guys on one team and it’s going to take sacrifice from everybody. It’s the only way that they’re able to move forward. I think they’re going to fix it. They’re going to get it together. This is a smart team. Coach Stevens is a great coach. Tatum is, he’s going to continue to grow. And I think the best part about it [is] he doesn’t have to rush it, he doesn’t have to rush his development at all. You have plenty of guys to learn from, plenty of guys who can push you each and every day to get better. I think he’s in the perfect spot." [CelticsWire]

Tatum, who turns 21 on Sunday when the Celtics host the Rockets, is averaging 16.2 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.





Joel Pavón
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Photo used courtesy of The Associated Press