Steph Curry proved he is a superstar, Jason Tatum - not yet

Jason Tatum averaged 26.9 points in the regular season with 8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1 steal, and 45.3% shots and 35.3% for three points. He also had 2.9 turnovers and 6.2 free throw attempts. In the final series against the Warriors Boston's best player averages 22.3 points, 7 rebounds, 7.8 assists and one stolen ball, and 33.4% of shots and 42.5% from three-point land. He also has 3.5 turnovers and 6.5 free throws.

In the regular season, Steph Curry averaged 25.5 points, 6.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals, and 43.6% of shots and 38% for three points. He also had 3.2 losses and 4.7 free throws. In the final series against the Celtics Golden State's best player averages 34.3 points, 3.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 2 steals, and 49.8% of shots and 49.1% for three points. He also has three turnovers and 5.3 free throws.

There are a lot of things to talk about when it comes to the NBA Finals, but the current impression is that Golden State, regardless of the fact that the series is tied (2-2), is currently a bigger favorite to win the title because their best player is in the zone.

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It is not easy to cross the line between a great player and a superstar, and this can be confirmed by the fact that this year's award for the player who has made the most progress in the season went to Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies playmaker was a great player last season as well, but most of those who voted for that award estimated that it was only this year that he made that additional step by turning into a superstar. Of course, there are those who will say that no one can be a superstar until they take their team at least to the NBA finals. And such thinking can be understood because the greatest athletes in the world are always measured by the amount of trophies they have won.

And that is exactly why it is clear that Tatum simply has to play better than in the first four games of the finals if he wants his team to become the champion. He wasn't bad, far from it, but it's not that he could be bad. The best players must be the best in the most important matches. Take a look at Curry.

Steph had a great season, especially at the beginning when he looked like an MVP. But he fell back a bit later in the season, so he didn't finish in the competition for the most important individual award in the NBA league, but that didn't matter - Golden State finally looked good and returned to the playoffs after two seasons. And not only did they return, but entered it with a good chance of going after that ring, which is what happened.

Curry had problems with injuries during the regular season, but also during the playoffs. He started the post-season on the bench, to get used to the rhythm more easily, but soon Steve Kerr brought him back to where he belongs - in the lead role. Curry did a good job against Denver, Memphis and Dallas, but his numbers were not nearly as good in those series as in the final. Against Boston, Warriors came across a team that plays great defense and against which it is difficult to play in their classic way, so Curry had to reach deep into the bag with tricks to show that at 34, he is still one of the most entertaining players in the world. He was also helped a lot by Steve Kerr, who searched for and found the best way to attack Boston's defense.

From the second game on, and especially from the third, Curry got proper screens from his teammates, sometimes two in just a few seconds to get rid of Marcus Smart, the best defensive player of the season, thus ending up playing against Boston centers. Smart doesn't go in front but behind the screen, and Al Horford and Robert Williams simply don't have enough speed in their legs to defend that miraculous dribble and step back of the fastest three-point shooter in the world. The Celtics are not helped by the fact that Curry doesn't think much about the distance from which he will pull up and hit a three. And when he sees that the way to the basket is opened for him, he will immediately use it and attack the hoop.

Tatum is in a different situation. Realistically, he hasn't played a great game in the final yet. He was not bad but far from confirming that he was a superstar. However, it is difficult for someone to take away that title from him because his talent is extraordinary, and at the age of 24 he has already played a lot of great games. But none of those were the NBA Finals. If it weren't for the fantastic three-point shooting, which he really hits with incredible certainty, Tatum's performance would be highly questionable.

It is true that the Warriors, above all Andrew Wiggins, defended great against him throughout the series, and it is true that Tatum is great at finding his teammates when double-teamed, but he needs to give a lot more. First of all, he lacks aggression in attacking the basket, which can be seen in the number of free-throw attempts. It is amazing that he - with his physique and the fact that Golden State are a much 'shorter' team than Boston - cannot have more free throws than the above-mentioned 6.5.

There were situations where Tatum would be taken over by one of the weaker defensive players of Golden State, and the Celtics' star would not take advantage of that situation. On the other hand, Curry can't wait to have a weaker guardian on him and immediately starts attacking the rim - from up close or from distance. Also, Tatum often made turnovers without real pressure in key situations, while Curry doesn't do that much.

All in all, Tatum has remained indebted to all Boston fans so far. We are not even sure how good he is in their eyes - after all, he wore a dedication to one of the Lakers on his arm. Okay, it's an arm-band dedicated to Kobe Bryant, but he was still one of the Lakers, and we know all about the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. Of course, if the title is won, no one will care about it, but if the title still ends up in Oakland, Tatum will have something to think about this summer. And Boston fans could further disrupt his thinking with accusations on social media...

NBA FINALS

Tuesday

04:00: (1.60) Golden State (13.0) Boston (2.60)

Series tied 2-2

***odds are subject to change***