9781422271537

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First Team All-NBA Tatum and the Celtics were not able to win it all in 2022, losing in the Finals in six games to Golden State. However, the loss of that series was the only blemish on a terrific season for Tatum. His individual per game stat line was 26.9 points, eight rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Tatum was named to his third consecutive All-Star team in 2022, despite a pedestrian 18-21 start for the Celtics. Tatum led a second-half resurgence, however, as the Celtics were the best team in the East after the All-Star break, culminating in a Finals appearance. Tatum was the first Celtic ever to be named Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks. He finished the season ranked fifth in the conference in scoring and was named as a First Team All-NBA member for the first time. He joined Denver center Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas guard Luka Dončić, and Phoenix guard Devin Booker on the first team. Tatum had previously been named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2020.

Tatum used his patented fadeaway jumper to devastating effect on his way to being named to the All-NBA First Team.

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HARDWOOD GREATS: PRO BASKETBALL’S BEST PLAYERS