\n<\/p>\n
You\u2019re no doubt familiar with the phrase: Defense never rusts.<\/p>\n
So while the Jayson Tatum fan club uses his long absence<\/a> as an excuse for the rim-chipping step-backs, the crowd-pleasing passes into the audience and the dribble out of bounds off his bloated ankle, there\u2019ll be nothing but the naked truth about his defense within seconds of when he steps back onto the court.<\/p>\n Tatum is the most overhyped player in the history of the NBA. Don\u2019t believe me? I have a stat to prove it.<\/p>\n Three NBA All-Stars suffered Achilles tears last year. All are plotting a comeback.<\/p>\n Since the injury, Tyrese Haliburton has gotten \u2013 by my unofficial count \u2013 96 updates posted on social media.<\/p>\n Damian Lillard, who made himself available to the media masses at the All-Star Game and then, incredibly, went out and won the 3-Point Shootout, has warranted 126 updates.<\/p>\n Tatum has had 158 \u2026 yesterday alone. His total (this changes by the minute): 7,966.<\/p>\n And I\u2019m not counting the five-part documentary on the incredible story of an athlete making a miraculous comeback from an Achilles injury. Apparently it\u2019s never been done before.<\/p>\n As Tatum\u2019s return to game action gets closer, the saga gets even more ridiculous.<\/p>\n You gotta know the NBA, which has driven the Tatum hype machine from Day 1, wants their Golden Boy to return next Tuesday against the Spurs. Why? Because it\u2019s a nationally televised game on NBC, the league\u2019s cash cow.<\/p>\n But Tatum went to Duke, remember? He\u2019s not dumb enough to take that path.<\/p>\n He\u2019d rather make a triumphant return in a game in which, well, a triumph is more likely \u2026 like Friday night against the hapless Mavericks<\/a>. It\u2019s his kind of stat-padding opponent.<\/p>\n Plus, it\u2019s at home, which makes sense, and comes at the perfect time \u2026 Two days after the Celtics were drubbed by the Hornets, demonstrating \u2013 despite the shiny record \u2013 that the club desperately needs him back.<\/p>\n It would make the perfect theater. Likely accompanied by a green carpet.<\/p>\n That first dribble between the legs. Wow. Waited 10 months for this. Worth every minute.<\/p>\n That 11th dribble between the legs on the same possession. Incredible. He\u2019s still got it.<\/p>\n That assist to Jaylen Brown. Classic teammate<\/a>. Forget for a moment that Payton Pritchard has done this 70 times already this season.<\/p>\n And that 3-pointer. He\u2019s back! It came on his fifth ill-advised 24-footer of the night, but the broadcasters have already cautioned seven times that he\u2019s rusty.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll give him that. But whenever he returns, a well-rested Tatum should be on top of his game defensively. He\u2019s made this perfectly clear in the twice-a-day videos he\u2019s directed.<\/p>\n And this is a potential problem.<\/p>\n