Jayson Tatum and the Celtics held off LeBron James and the Lakers for a marquee win on Christmas Day.

• NBA All-Star 2024: Vote here

The NBA Mailbag is here to answer your questions throughout the 2023-24 season! Have a question for Jamal? Submit it at the bottom of this edition of the NBA Mailbag. 

What was your biggest takeaway from the Christmas Day games?

– from Michael in Denver, CO

My biggest takeaway from the Christmas action is that LeBron still needs to be the best player on the Lakers for them to have title chances. That’s a tough task for the oldest player in the league. But if anyone can do it, it’s him.

Most entertaining team in the NBA right now?

– from Jackson in Cashion, OK

OKC and Orlando. They’re both coming with a young energy and both sides of the ball are playing together. That mixed with their next-gen stars makes them both fun to watch.

Do you think Steph’s record 3,500 threes will ever be broken?

– from Allison in Fairfield, CA

Even though players are shooting 3s at an increased rate, I still don’t see it being broken. Steph’s longevity at that all-time great level will be hard to beat. The game-changer for Steph has been his ability to shoot off the dribble and catch and shoot at an elite level. Most guys can only do one or the other.

Who do you believe is the most explosive player right now?

– from Keia in The Bahamas

I’ll go with Anthony Edwards. He’s electric. He’s not only explosive — he brings the crowd and his teammates into the game as well. You never know what move he’s going to do next. It’s been great to see him continue to raise his game.

Are there any role players you think that fans might overlook and miss out on their impact?

– from Michael in Boston, MA

Mike Conley. I don’t think he’s being brought up enough when talking about the Timberwolves’ success. He’s helping to guide the ship and he’s doing it in such a quiet manner, some fans might miss it. But those who play with him and against him know how important he is to Minnesota.

How impressed have you been with the Magic this season?

– from Kevin in England

Very impressed. I love their camaraderie. They’ve brought a college system to the NBA, which is rarely seen. It’s more about we than me. And that’s cool to see from a young team.

Where do you rate Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo as a duo in the NBA? They don’t have a very flashy game but they have had as much playoff success as anyone.

– from Yash in Miami, FL

They’re in the top 5 for sure. There’s a reason they’ve had so much playoff success. They complement each other so well, they’re both team-first players and they’re both versatile. Both of them can play inside out while also creating opportunities for teammates. That’s what makes them so dangerous.

Mal! I’m a Bulls homer so am biased, but I view you and Donyell Marshall as two guys who were a bit ahead of the game; if he were drafted in ’99 alongside Shawn Marion, and if you were drafted in ’09 alongside Steph … That said, as the student of the game that I know you are, who stands out as the biggest ‘wrong era’ talent you played with, whether too late or too early?

– from PJ in Raleigh, NC

Instead of a player who was ahead of his time, I’ll say a team — one of my Knicks teams when we were perimeter-heavy. There was a point when we had myself, Steve Francis, Nate Robinson, Stephon Marbury, Jalen Rose and Quentin Richardson all on the roster. I think that team would’ve done really well in the current, perimeter-driven league.

There have been a few player/head coaches in the NBA before. Is there a player you took the court with who could have easily filled the head coach role as well?

– from T in Los Angeles, CA

Chris Paul and Mike Bibby. They were always coaches on the court and focused on getting the most out of everybody. They went about it in different ways, but the goal was the same.

What do you think about the All-Star Game switching back to the East vs. West format?

– from Rosa in Puerto Rico

Whatever will help make it more competitive is a step in the right direction. I love the East-West format since it’s what we grew up with. And it’s always fun seeing the superstars in a conference team up.

You have played on several teams, how long does it take for players to adjust to each other? I have noticed that after a trade it can take up to a year to maximize production.

– from Brad in Minneapolis

It depends on the team and the system. I went to teams (New York, LA and Atlanta) where it was instant and it was like I had been there for years. Then for other teams, it took a bit longer to get comfortable. So it depends on who’s around you — the players, the coach and the organization’s stability all have a major impact on it. Sometimes it does take a couple of years.

Were there any particular rivalries or matchups that you looked forward to during your career?

– from Aaliyah in Toronto, Canada

Definitely when I was with the Clippers playing the Warriors. And when I was with the Hawks playing the Celtics. Those two jump out to me. Also, the Knicks and the Nets were a local rivalry. They beat us more than we beat them, for sure. It was fun going to the Meadowlands and then having them come to The Garden.

How can I create a basketball community like what you have in Seattle?

– from Coach T in Charlotte, NC

Pour into the youth. When you do that, you give them something to shoot for and it connects you to the next generation. Sometimes all it takes is you taking the lead to make a difference in your city and then others will follow. And make sure your city doesn’t have a “crabs in the bucket” mentality where people think only one person can make it. If you can do that and keep your intentions pure, your city will be in a good position to thrive.

Which attribute do you think is most critical to a team?

– from Matthew in Kutztown, PA

Believing in the team itself. If you believe in the team, then you’ll sacrifice and work hard for your teammates. You’ll listen to the coach from your perspective and your teammates, so you can fully understand the gameplan. Everything comes back to the team. So if you’re truly focused on being part of the team, then you’ll be the type of player every team and coach wants around.

Coming into the league, what did you expect your career to look like if anything at all?

– from Connor in Toronto, Canada

I dreamed about being in the NBA ever since I was a kid, so once I got there I wasn’t thinking like, “I want to accomplish this, this and that.” I just wanted to stay in the league as long as I could. I didn’t have any checklists I had to check. If you had told me when I was coming into the league that I would play a 10-year career, I would’ve been thrilled. And I played twice that. So I thank God. And I thank my wife for changing my diet.

What was your favorite cheat meal as a player?

– from Ethan in Queen Creek, AZ

I was eating McDonald’s before games when I just started. It’s hard to believe now. And I know my editor is shaking his head reading this!

Top 5 albums and favorite song from the albums?

– from Levi in Opunake, New Zealand

• Life After Death by Notorious B.I.G.; “Sky’s the Limit”
• Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z; “Can’t Knock the Hustle”
• Me Against the World by Tupac Shakur; “So Many Tears”
• ATLiens by Outkast; “Elevators”
• Midnight Mauraders by A Tribe Called Quest; “Electric Relaxation”

Why do you think shooting a jump hook shot is basically extinct in the NBA now among centers?

– from Grayson in Naperville, IL

It just goes against the conventional thinking of shooting with two hands. Plus, the touch and perfection you need to have on that shot are incredible. I actually did it in a game with the Clippers. I told Doc I was going to do it, I did it, I made it, and he started cracking up laughing. It’s unguardable because there’s so much space between you and the defender that there’s no way for them to get to it.

Jamal, I help coach a small school team in Colorado. We have made it to the state championship two years in a row but came up short in both years. I think we have the talent and ability to be back there this year. How can I get the guys to buy in completely and get over the hump this year?

– from Maguire in Colorado

I think hammer home how close you are and how this will be so rewarding after you guys win it. Speak everything into existence like, “After we win this year, we will do this.” Every day you’re practicing, you’re practicing to win this year. Speak life into them so they can envision themselves winning it all. Don’t think about the disappointments. Think about the little things you can improve in practice. But make sure to see yourself winning it before you actually win it.

As a new player, I’m finding myself struggling to get past defenders. Do you have any advice on what to do?

– from Asher in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Whenever you’re driving and you get cut off … stop. If you and the defender are both moving at good speeds and you stop, then you’re going to get separation because only you know when you’re going to stop. So that’s a good way to create space. Also, perfecting your footwork and utilizing the bump, like Shai does here, is key.

I’m 15 and when I shoot my left hand is the hand I use to steady my shot, but it comes down too early. What can I do to stop doing this – like drills or anything like that?

– from Judah in the Philippines

What I tell my kids is, when you shoot your shot, don’t release the form until the ball hits the ground. So that way it makes you exaggerate and hold it up there for the whole time. I always say let them take a picture of you like you’re posing for the homepage of NBA.com.

How do I as a smaller guard improve my overall court vision and know when to make passes?

– from Hekili in Waianae, Hawaii

When you watch film of the all-time great guards like Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Chris Paul and Isiah Thomas, you’ll see their heads are always up and they’re taking a picture of the court. This allows them to see everything. Even as a smaller guard, you can approach it with the same mindset. If your head is up, it’ll become clear what you’re looking for because you’ll be like, “Oh, this guy over here is helping too much, so that guy’s open.” It will open up your awareness, which will allow you to see more opportunities for your team.

Are there any scouts for street players in Europe or do they only scouts for college students?

– from Akinniyi in Cyprus

The way the world is now, there are scouts everywhere. You can do stuff in your backyard and upload it to YouTube or social media and maybe the right person sees it. So if I were you, I would just keep working. As you continue to work and prove yourself, they’ll find you.

Have A Question For Jamal? Submit It Below!

Check back on Tuesdays throughout the 2023-24 season for more editions of the NBA Mailbag!