The 7-step plan that would make Jayson Tatum the best player in the NBA

Jayson Tatum is already a top 10 player in the NBA. He could be in the top 5. The Boston Celtics star is in conversation with players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant (all behind Nikola Jokic). But could he reach one?

During last year’s playoffs, Tatum was maligned for his three-point shooting, but every other part of his game was outstanding. He is a versatile defender, an ever-improving playmaker and one of the best rebounders at his position. There’s no reason why he can’t be the best player in the NBA.

This is how he could do it.

This is the most obvious first step for Tatum. If he ever wants to be considered No. 1 in the world, his three-point numbers need to be elite. Despite his struggles in the playoffs, he actually shot 37.6% from long range in the regular season last year.

Very few volume shooters reach 40%. Nikola Jokic has not reached this mark. Neither does Luka Doncic. Stephen Curry didn’t even make it last season. But if Tatum can hit a (less erratic) 38%, that’s a great first step.

This would be a huge jump for Tatum, especially during the regular season, but it is far from impossible. Kristaps Porzingis will miss some time, and Tatum was already the Celtics’ best rebounder last year, so why not?

Tatum averaged 9.7 rebounds in the postseason last year, and if he can break the 10-rebound mark this year, it would give his stats a very nice boost.

This may be the hardest mark for Tatum to reach, but it’s definitely not impossible. He averaged 4.9 per game last year, so Tatum would have to increase his assist numbers by a whole new assist, but he’s gotten better in that category every season, so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t do it again .

This may sound like a random statistic, but considering how much Tatum drives to the rim, he should get to the finish line more. Tatum should force the issue and place himself among the top tier of free throw shooters.

Only four guys surpassed that mark last year: Embiid, Antetokounmpo, Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander. Tatum should join this group.

Last year, Tatum struggled at the end of games. His shot wasn’t there and he missed a ton of potential game-winners. If he wants to be the best in the world, these have to come in.

Boston will still face Tatum at the end of games, and he needs to score the ball.

The most important part of Tatum’s plan to become the best player in the world will happen in the postseason: He must dominate.

This means that there are no fights from the depths. This means there are no smoked layups. That means taking over games at the end. This means getting clutch shots. This means attacking the glass. That means dimming your teammates.

Tatum needs to be the best player on the field at all times.

The final and most obvious step: Tatum needs to win another title. If he helps the Celtics win back-to-back games and win Finals MVP in the process, he’ll be one of the best players in the world.

And when he hits all of these milestones, a serious conversation needs to be had.