NBA Finals: Andrew Wiggins’ 3-Word Advice to Mavs for Stopping Jayson Tatum

One best-of-seven series remains before crowning a new reigning power in the NBA. Boston and Dallas will clash on the grandest stage. For the Mavs, their improbable run will require another miracle. They have to slow down the Shamrocks led by the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who are supported by an array of impactful stars. But what if they could cut off the most dangerous weapon? Luckily, they have some help from Andrew Wiggins.

The Golden State forward discussed the anticipated NBA Finals matchup when conversing with Sports Net. Having been the guy who primarily slowed down Jayson Tatum when they met in the 2022 NBA Finals, the Canadian stalwart had a 3-word portion of advice. “Make them uncomfortable,” he advised the Dallas side. Wiggins explained, “That’s the main thing in making someone uncomfortable. A great player always has one or two moves, their go-to moves, but let’s see if we can make them do that third, fourth, or fifth option”.

“How that’s going to look like? Keep that body on them. Try to wear them down. That was my goal,” he concluded. In the 2022 playoffs, he came 2nd in the voting for Finals MVP behind Stephen Curry. It was primarily because of his tenacious defense of Jayson Tatum. Wiggins was like a hound behind the ball. The Celtics All-Star wasn’t given any room to rest, and he was constantly reminded of AW’s presence through his body bumps. Moreover, he relentlessly contested and forced Tatum to work outside his comfort zone.

Tatum would only average 21.5 points and 6.8 rebounds during their Finals clash, the least he had in any series during the postseason run. However, it will be much more complicated for the Mavs because of the reinforcements the Cs welcomed in the offseason. The backcourt of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday is fundamentally sound on either side of the floor. Additionally, Jaylen Brown has been the lead scorer for Boston in the postseason.

There is also a chance Kristaps Porzingis, a former Maverick returns as the Finals begin. Boston doesn’t hinge completely on Tatum anymore. He has multiple options to defer and could easily live with scoring less than his average. The only drawback it has for Jayson Tatum is the doubts over his status as a superstar in the league.

How good has Jayson Tatum been in the playoffs?

Jayson Tatum might only have seven years of experience under his belt, but the Duke product is a breathtaking talent. He has refined and polished his game every season, adding a new avenue to his arsenal. Over his career, he has averaged 23 points and 7.2 rebounds. This season when he made the All-NBA First Team, Tatum put up 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and a career-high 4.9 assists. This is especially praiseworthy considering the Celtics added two All-Star caliber stars to the roster this year.

In his short career, Tatum has found tremendous success during the postseason. He has led Boston to the playoffs in each of his seven seasons so far. Over the last four years, they have made it to the conference finals every year. Having played 108 postseason games, Tatum averages a hefty 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Going into the NBA Finals, the Celtics are yet to be battle-tested. Each side they faced had a star absent from the contest, entirely or partially. They have only played 14 games as compared to the Mavs’ 17. In those games, Tatum is averaging a double-double with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

The Finals are more than just a chance at a championship. With this win, Boston could become the most accomplished NBA franchise over the Lakers. Jayson Tatum and Co. will achieve redemption from their 2022 debacle. It could also very well be the beginning of a perennial threat if the sleeping giants taste glory once again.

Stay tuned for more such updates. To follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.