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Mitchell Robinson Is Tanking Jayson Tatum’s MVP Case
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- Mitchell Robinson Is Tanking Jayson Tatum’s MVP Case
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jayson Tatum is putting up huge numbers, but his MVP case is falling apart because of one man. Mitchell Robinson is the reason the Celtics look like a bad team when he steps on the floor. The stats do not lie, and they show a massive split in how the team plays.
The Numbers Do Not Lie
Hardwood Houdini reported that the Celtics have a +17.1 net rating when Tatum plays without Robinson. That number would lead the league in offense and sit top-five in defense. But the moment Robinson joins the court, the whole thing falls apart. In just 87 minutes with both players on the floor, the net rating plummets to -19.6.
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The offense becomes a disaster with a 93.7 rating, which would be the worst in the league by a huge margin. Tatum himself looks like a very good role player instead of a star when Robinson is near him. He averages only 17.8 points and shoots 39% true shooting per 36 minutes. Without Robinson, Tatum vaults to 33.1 points per 36 minutes with 62.8% true shooting.
Tough Nights on the Road
The team struggled on Monday night against the Houston Rockets in a 109-93 loss. Tatum tried to fight back but the offense could not click. He shot 5-for-16 from the field and missed a layup while sprawled out on the floor. Celtics announcer Drew Carter said on the broadcast, "Jayson Tatum frustrated by the lack of a whistle, but he'll head to the locker room without any protesting."
Tatum told the media after the game that the team needs to find a way to "dig deeper" in close situations. He noted that back-to-backs are tough for everyone. "Everybody plays back-to-backs; we're not the only team," Tatum said, via NBC Sports Boston. The team also saw Payton Pritchard go 0-of-7 from three-point range, which hurt the scoring.
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A Choice for the Rotation
Although time is dwindling quickly, Robinson requires a period to regain his fitness. He is killing Tatum's MVP case and he is killing the Celtics as a team. The theory of what he can add has not become a reality yet. Should his performance fail to improve shortly, he must be removed from the lineup.
Tatum has made history at the free throw line this season with 60 made shots through seven games. In team history, only Ed Macauley achieved higher totals during the opening seven games of a season. Tatum is getting to the lane more, but the team cannot win if Robinson clogs the paint and hurts the spacing. The next game is Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, and the rotation must change to fix this.
