The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 126-115 on Christmas Day, but one person wearing green was not pleased near the end. With the shot clock winding down, Derrick White lobbed a pass to Jayson Tatum, who humorously stepped out of the way.
I certainly do not blame White for being a bit upset over that. I’d assume Tatum didn’t catch that pass because he felt he would then get a turnover to his name for having the ball when the shot clock expired.
A lot of players seem unaware of the fact that shot clock violations are considered a team turnover. They do not go down as a player’s turnover, but because Tatum left the ball and Austin Reaves picked it up, that became a turnover for White. He might have been explaining the same to Tatum at the end there, and the two men did seem to laugh it off eventually.
NBA Fans Reacted To Jayson Tatum Refusing To Catch The Pass
This incident hilariously ended up being a big talking point after the game. The clip went viral and NBA fans reacted to it.
One says Tatum should have known the rule.
A fan says Tatum is not a leader.
A fan hopes that someday, players will recognize they won’t get a turnover for this.
One says Tatum cares too much about his stats.
One stated this was a clown move on Tatum’s part.
I wouldn’t go as far as some of the fans did, but Tatum really shouldn’t have done that. It does give off the impression that he cares way too much about his stats and I don’t think any player wants to have that label on them.
As for Tatum’s play in this one, he didn’t have the greatest of nights. He put up 25 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 block, but shot 6-15 from the field. White, meanwhile, had 18 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks while going 8-13 from the field.
Jayson Tatum Thinks Derrick White Should Be An All-Star
The Celtics now have the best record in the NBA at 23-6. The likes of Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis have received a lot of credit for that, but White has also played a big role in their success.
He has excelled on the defensive end and is averaging 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. After White recorded 28 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in a win over the Sacramento Kings last week, Tatum stated he is an All-Star on his Instagram story.
This is a growing sentiment in Boston, but I don’t see White making the All-Star team. His numbers aren’t jaw-dropping and we know that playing great defense doesn’t always earn someone a spot on the team.
There are just too many flashier and more eye-catching guards in the East, including Damian Lillard, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Haliburton, and Trae Young, to mention a few.
While White is unlikely to make that team, the 29-year-old should be named to one of the All-Defensive Teams, as he was last year. He may also be considered for Defensive Player of the Year, as he has shined on that end of the court.
