Howard Beck

I don't know the date of this one, but it's whenever Jason Tatum returns.

So Boston.

You're cheating.

I am cheating right off the bat.

I took this exercise as kind of the things that we're most anticipating, most looking forward to.

I cannot wait to see Jason Tatum.

And it's because of this.

Step back for a second.

I don't know that we've ever had anything that's followed this exact fact pattern.

It's the most fascinating or most consequential late season comeback ever.

In recent history, like no analog for this perennial MVP candidate presumed out for the season for good reason.

Coming back from one of the toughest injuries there is the team is contending without him.

And he's returning with 20 to 25 ish games left.

You said this on Tuesday with Mahoney that, you know, look, the Celtics, the basic outline, all the data points, they're a contender, period, even without him.

And I believe that's true.

And even 80% of Tatum, 90% of Tatum, 87.3% of Tatum is going to make them that much better.

How does he look?

How does he adapt?

How does he reintegrate himself?

How do they reintegrate him?