BOSTON — After trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George and adding Mike Conley and Mitchell Robinson, Celtics officials reportedly informed Jayson Tatum that his responsibilities would remain “basically the same,” before handing him six basketballs and asking him not to drop any.
Tatum, returning to a dramatically reshaped Boston roster, was seen completing drills while simultaneously scoring, rebounding, initiating the offense and reassuring concerned Celtics fans online.
“Nothing major,” a coach said. “We just need Jayson to be Jayson, plus maybe 18 percent more Jayson.”
Paul George has reportedly been assigned the much simpler job of remaining healthy while everyone agrees not to mention why that sentence made them nervous.
Mike Conley will provide veteran stability, Mitchell Robinson will provide rebounding, and Joe Mazzulla will provide at least one tactical explanation involving either mathematics, combat or historical warfare.
Tatum said he welcomes the challenge.
At press time, another basketball had been rolled toward him.
