NBA Insider Compares Jayson Tatum To Controversial, Eccentric Hall Of Famer

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Following his 24-point, 13-rebound double-double in the Boston Celtics' loss vs. the New York Knicks on Thursday night, Jayson Tatum is now averaging an even 10 boards per game.

True, Tatum's only played in 16 contests since returning from his Achilles injury in March, but he's also never posted more than 8.8 rebounds per game.

Senior NBA writer Fred Katz of The Athletic discussed JT's improved rebounding numbers in an article published Friday morning.

"Jayson Tatum’s jumper is returning, a horrifying development for the other Eastern Conference contenders. And yet, the missed shots still stand out most. ... Boston looks scary, especially because Tatum actually appears improved at one essential aspect of the game," the Knicks writer said. "Tatum has been one of the NBA’s best-rebounding wings since he became a pro nine years ago but he’s never feasted on the glass like this."

Tatum's grabbed at least 10 rebounds in 10 of his 16 contests this year, including 18 on April 1 against the Miami Heat (one off his career-high).

Katz compared the Celtics superstar to Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman in his analysis.

"Tatum possesses a Dennis Rodman-esque intuition to track where the ball might ricochet not long after it rolls off a shooter’s fingertips," the insider wrote. "The Celtics’ defensive-rebounding rollercoaster has an argument as the most surprising turnaround in the NBA this season. ... On Dec. 1, they were last in the league in defensive rebound rate. But since that date, they have been second. ... Their defensive-rebound rate goes up a gargantuan 6.4 percentage points when Tatum is on the floor, according to Cleaning the Glass. It’s just one more way an elite player has added to a team that was already rolling when he returned."

Rodman is widely viewed as one of the most controversial and eccentric players in NBA history, but he's a Hall of Famer for a reason.

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year is one of the best rebounders and defenders of all time and was a big part of two championships with the Detroit Pistons and three more with the Chicago Bulls.

This might be one of the only times that Rodman and Tatum are mentioned in the same breath, but in this case, it's a massive compliment for the 28-year-old.

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