“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” – Mike Tyson
The Boston Celtics had a plan. After an exciting offseason of wheeling, dealing and drama, the Celtics were ready for some stability. The team expected to lean on its two All-Star acquisitions, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Together, they could finally lead the Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
Rookie forward, St. Louis native, Jayson Tatum (Chaminade) figured to play a key role off the bench. The Celtics wanted to leave the heavy lifting to the young veteran leadership.
What a difference a day makes.
During the NBA’s season opener between the Celtics and Cavs, Tatum was thrusted into the starting lineup due to a preseason minor knee injury to Marcus Morris.
Early in the first quarter, Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle injury. In an instant, his season came crashing to an end.
Many believe that the Celtics’ championship aspirations went down with Hayward. However, in his first career NBA game, Tatum showed that he’s ready to shoulder whatever load Boston needs him to carry.
After a shaky, butterfly-filled first half, Tatum showed why the Celtics drafted him with the third overall pick. In his first NBA game, Tatum scored 14 points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.
The performance didn’t come against the lowly Brooklyn Nets. Tatum balled out against LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference champions.
“Jayson is a special talent,” Celtics guard Jaylen Brown told reporters after the game. “And we’re going to need to see it from him this season, especially with Gordon going down. He’ll have to step up, but Jayson will be all right.”
Unfortunately injuries are a reality in any professional sport. Hayward’s absence means that Tatum will not only have the opportunity to grow up fast, but also the expectation.
He’s ready.
Beal’s breakthrough season?
Last season, many people believed that Bradley Beal (Chaminade) deserved an All-Star nod. When it was announced that Cavs forward Kevin Love would miss the game due to injury, all eyes were on Beal and then-New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
Going into the All-Star break, Beal averaged 22.2 points, 3.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. The Wizards’ record was 34-21. The team led its division and sat third place overall in the Eastern Conference.
Anthony averaged 23.4 points, six rebounds and 2.9 assists per game before the break. The Knicks’ record was 23-34 and sat in the Eastern Conference basement, ranking 12th out of 15 teams.
However, Anthony is a bigger star. New York is a bigger market. So ‘Melo received the call from Commissioner Adam Silver. Let’s call it a lifetime achievement selection.
“If they reward winning, then I don’t understand how the decision was made,” Beal told The Washington Post after the snub in February. “It was kind of weird to me.”
Beal used the snub as inspiration and averaged 24.8 points after the All-Star break. He helped lead his team to the playoffs while Anthony watched from his couch like the rest of us.
This season, Beal has an excellent opportunity to earn his first All-Star berth. 2016 Eastern Conference All-Stars Anthony, Paul George and Jimmy Butler have all migrated to the West. Hayward’s injury means he will not inherit an Eastern Conference All-Star berth, as was expected.
Beal should be a shoe-in to be named an All-Star this season. Last January, Zach Harper of CBS Sports, ranked Beal and John Wall as the second-best backcourt in the NBA. The only duo rated in front of the Wizards’ tandem was the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Throughout his career, Beal has proven to be an excellent two-way player. He will need to take the next step and leave no-doubt regarding his All-Star status if the Wizards want to re-emerge and threaten the Cavs for the Eastern Conference crown.
With Wall and Sikeston native Otto Porter Jr. (Scott County Central) at his side, Beal is confident in his team’s outlook for the 2017-18 season.
“I feel like we’re the best team in the East, Beal told ESPN. “That’s how we feel coming into the season.”
McCaw, McLemore and Lee
The Warriors’ Patrick McCaw (CBC)earned a NBA championship during his rookie season and hopes to add to his collection this year. McCaw stands to be a solid bench contributor to the juggernaut Warriors. In the season opener, he scored four points, three rebounds, one block and one assist in 19 minutes of action.
McCaw proved that he was NBA-ready when he started 20 games for the champions last season. His coach, Steve Kerr, described him as a “good player with a chance to be a great player.”
McCaw will be given every opportunity to prove his worth.
Ben McLemore (Wellston) has a new zip code. McLemore signed with the Memphis Grizzlies as a free agent. He will have a chance to jumpstart his career after finally escaping the Sacramento Kings.
Whether the Grizzlies use him as a starter or off the bench, McLemore should have the chance to develop without the pressure and expectations that came with being the 7th overall pick in the 2013 draft.
However, McLemore will start the season in street clothes while he rehabs his injured foot.
David Lee (Chaminade) opted out of his deal with the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason and is currently a free agent. It’s possible that his phone will ring as the inevitable injury bug makes its rounds. However, Lee appears to be in the twilight of his career.
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