With this version of Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are ready to contend

If you were to tune into your first-ever Boston Celtics game this week, you would never know Jayson Tatum missed almost a whole year due to a torn Achilles tendon. Outside of his inconsistent shooting, he's playing at an elite level on both sides of the ball. He's controlling the glass, creating for others, and making timely reads that help Boston both control and dictate the tempo of the game.

Sooner or later, Tatum's shooting struggles will level out, too. Once that happens, it won't be long until we're discussing him as a top-five talent in the NBA once again. That's how good he's been.

The fact he's reached that level so soon after returning to the rotation is wildly impressive. Not only has Tatum given the Celtics some additional gravity on the offensive end, but he's also bolstered the defense with size, length and high IQ. With all of this in mind, ESPN's Tim Bontemps recently declared that getting this current version of Tatum back into the rotation has elevated Boston into a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference, assuming he can stay healthy, of course.

Still, it's worth noting that Boston will need to navigate a postseason run that already has them on a collision course with the New York Knicks , should both teams make it out of the first round. If you're interested, you can hear Bontemps' full thoughts by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch or listen to the "Celtics Chronicle" podcast on: YouTube: https://bit.