There is a common mistaken assumption that the best players in the NBA are who they are in the league because of their genetics, or some other god-given gift they did not have to do anything in particular to put to work on the court. But the truth of stardom in the Association is often a lot more mundane, in that the excellence we see on the hardwood is frequently a result of many hours of hard practice.
Such was the point of view of Boston Celtics big man alum Daniel Theis, who opened up about the work put in by fellow Celtics alumni Jayson Tatum and Kyrie Irving on an episode of the “Euro Insiders” podcast. The Salzgitter native made it clear that as good as these two future Hall of Famers may be, he had a front row seat on how they got their game to such lofty heights. “My first year with Kyrie — everybody thinks he’s just God-gifted talent, and yeah, some of it is,” admitted Theis.
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“But his finishes? Left hand, right hand, top of the backboard — he worked on those every day,” he added. “He’d stay in the gym by himself, doing left-handed high finishes, using the glass. That’s what sets him apart.”
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 28: Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens talks with Jayson Tatum #0, Javonte Green #43, Kemba Walker #8, Daniel Theis #27, and Semi Ojeleye #37 during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on February 28, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Wizards 111-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“A lot of players work hard, but guys like Kyrie or James (Harden) — they’re obsessive about perfecting one or two moves,” continued the German big man. “James Harden, for example, that step-back — it didn’t just happen. He perfected it. And when teams started taking it away, he developed the counter — floaters, crossovers, sidesteps.”
“Same thing with Jayson Tatum — he’s 6-foot-8 or 6-foot-9 with a super high release. You can’t block his shot. And he doesn’t care if you’re contesting or not. They just don’t see you when they shoot. So yeah, part of it is talent, but it’s also the specific, detailed work they put in.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Theis: stars like Celtics forward Jayson Tatum work hard to be great