If Jayson Tatum is healthy enough, he should play this season. His trepidation about potentially returning to the Celtics and the type of impact he would have on an overachieving roster is unfounded.
Tatum has returned to the interview circuit this week in the latter stages of his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles. He was a guest on “The Pivot” podcast with ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark and expressed concern about his potential impact on the Celtics so deep into the season.
While it appears Tatum is nearing full health, he admitted he’s having second thoughts about returning this season. And joining a team that has soared to the third seed in the Eastern Conference behind All Star Jaylen Brown.
Now Brown has been clear that he has enjoyed this season because of the added responsibility. He’s received as being the primary scoring option. He has never indicated he does not want Tatum to return this season. But he has also made it clear that he enjoys the heavier weight of being the go-to guy.
The Celtics have remained mum about Tatum’s status and his rehabilitation because they do not want to place added pressure on the five-time All Star.
Tatum has been methodically rehabilitating over the past few months, sometimes publicly or in front of the media showing his progress after suffering such a devastating injury in Game 4 against the Knicks in the second-round playoff loss.
There have been no glitches or setbacks. He’s been dunking, participating in all the required drills, and checking all the boxes in his journey back to the court. The question is, why would he have second thoughts?
Why would a man who’s so supremely confident in himself second-guess his desire to return when it appears he’ll be healthy enough to play with plenty of time left in the regular season?
Perhaps it’s a case of his feeling left out of this resurgent Celtics season or even questioning whether he’ll have enough guile to help a team that is completely different from the one for which he last played.
But that should not be his concern. Tatum is still part owner of this team. He still remains a franchise cornerstone. He still remains Brown’s running partner.
There’s no question that Tatum would have a positive impact on this team, its morale, and its ability to advance in the playoffs if he were to return. It’s rather ridiculous to ponder any other possibility, but this may be an example of Tatum doubting himself after such a devastating injury and that is understandable. He’s human despite being a top-10 player at the peak of his powers.
Tatum is still that guy. Although our lasting image of him is one of his writhing in pain on the floor at Madison Square Garden. It was a painful sight and it marked the beginning of major changes in the organization.
President of basketball operations Brad Stevens overhauled the roster and banked on Brown and players such as Neemias Quetac and Payton Pritchard to take their games forward. That’s been the case.
All of this down time has allowed Tatum to overthink the situation. Whenever he returns, he’s not going to be at 100 percent. He’ll be on a minutes limit. He’ll need to get into supreme basketball shape. He’ll need time to get his full game back. For a period he’ll be less than the Jayson Tatum that has graced the floor.
And that’s OK. Tatum’s basketball heroes such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant took the floor coming off major injury or layoff at less than 100 percent. They still had enough game and basketball genius to be impactful players.
Tatum has to put faith in himself, his teammates, and coaching staff that the transition back will go smoother than he expects. This is perhaps the first time that Tatum has openly doubted himself and major injuries are indeed humbling. The return from such ailments are rocky and filled with doubt.
There is no workout that could replicate the speed and physicality of an NBA game. Tatum can look flawless in a one-hour workout in front of the media and still fall hard on his butt chasing a rebound or get shook by a two-way player on a simple spin move.
The Celtics didn’t want Tatum to get hurt but they definitely weren’t going to collapse when he did. Stevens signed some hungry players looking for an opportunity to shine — and they have.
So how will Tatum fit in with this revamped roster, some of whom have never played with him? In any way he can because he has enough pure talent and should have enough faith in his journey and recovery to realize his impact on this group can only be positive even if he isn’t vintage Tatum.
Part of being an elite athlete is learning to remain impactful and relevant when the skills decline or the body slips. That hurdle is completely mental, and while Tatum should be applauded for admitting his insecurity that should not curtail his goal to return this season if completely healthy.
The Celtics and their faithful are waiting with open arms.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.