With a cloud hanging over their star player, Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics prepare for the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite having a home-court advantage and a solid supporting cast, analysts are skeptical about Tatum’s ability to lead the team over the competitive Indiana Pacers. The Pacers won the 7-game series against the New York Knicks, 4-3.

Tatum’s most recent performances have intensified the discussion. Despite his exceptional prowess as a scorer, several observers feel he lacks the clutch mentality necessary to win the title. “We can’t put him in the category of LeBron James,” Alan Hahn remarked.

Does Jayson have the it-factor?

ESPN’s Alan Hahn felt that the Boston Celtics and Tatum were two completely different stories. “Celtics vs Tatum are two different conversations. The Celtics as an organisation? Yes. That’s also Joe Mazzula, that’s also Brad Stevens, that’s other guys on the team as well. But individually on Jayson Tatum? We can’t put him in the category of LeBron James.” Hahn did not stop there. He continued, “I don’t even think he has the ‘it-factor’ that Luka Doncic has. Maybe he’s just not that guy. He’s a great player but not a ‘that-level’ player.” Other analysts felt differently.

Veteran analyst Brian Windhorst talked about the Pacers’ confidence at home compared to on the road. “The difference between Pacers at home and on the road is very different,” Windhorst noted as he warned the Celtics about underestimating the Pacers’ home-court advantage. He also felt that the Pacers were not aggressive enough when on the road.

Former NBA player Paul Pierce joined the conversation to add that he thought the Pacers were bound to be extremely tired after their 7-game series with the Knicks. “The Pacers are worn out physically and emotionally, and now they have to come into the Boston Garden. The Celtics are well rested, they’ve been waiting, they’ve taken care of all the injuries,” he said. The Celtics played their last game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 15. They’ve had a week to rest and prepare for the face-off. Will Jayson Tatum and his team be able to pull this off? Take a look at his stats this season.

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics this season

The Boston Celtics forward has had a record-breaking season. With 32 points and 11 rebounds in a 124-114 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on November 4, 2023, Tatum became the youngest player in Celtics history to achieve 10,000 career points at the age of 25 years and 246 days. Tatum was also selected for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game as an Eastern Conference starter this season, his fifth consecutive selection overall and his second as a starter.

He averaged 26.9 points, 4.9 assists (his career high) and 8.1 rebounds this season. He became the second player in the Celtics franchise to put up at least 25 40-point games, alongside Larry Bird. But Tatum’s game has noticed a decline recently. He was struggling to keep up against the Cavs. And even though all worked out okay for the Celtics, are the analysts right about Tatum? Does he lack the factor LeBron James has?

The stage is set for an exciting showdown in the Eastern Conference finals. Will Jayson Tatum show up for the Boston Celtics and take the title home or will the Indiana Pacers make history and finally win their first championship? The teams face off tonight at 8:00 pm EST in Boston.