Tatum not worried about hearing critics' 'bad things'

Cameron Tatum was flying high in the Pilot Rocky Top League on Monday night, even if he is still under the radar.

"I still have a lot to prove,'' said Tatum, who started four games at guard for Tennessee last season and averaged 7.4 points per outing. "I hear it from people, I hear the bad things still.

"I hear that I'm not quick enough, that I can't shoot the ball consistently or play at this level.''

Tatum, who scored 36 points for Choice Spine in Monday night's opener, makes no apology for the chip on his shoulder.

The redshirt sophomore from Lithonia, Ga., who came to UT via the Patterson (N.C.) Prep School said he thrives on what he views as a general lack of respect from outsiders.

"I put so much pressure on myself because I've always been overshadowed,'' said Tatum, who originally committed to Charlotte.

"In my mind, I won't ever reach my potential,'' Tatum said. "That's why I love watching Kobe (Bryant). He's the best, but he'll tell you he can always get better.''

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard looks to show his improvement in Spine's 6 p.m. game against the News Sentinel tonight at Bearden High School. Richardson Construction plays First Tennessee at 7:30 and Ray's ESG plays the HT Group at 9.

Tatum said a combination of improved concentration and a healthy offseason should help him get better.

"I've been hitting the weights harder than I've ever hit them, especially my legs,'' said Tatum, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last year. "I'm building up my calves, my quads and my thighs. I was having too much pressure on my knees.

"I can tell I'm quicker.''

Improving his perimeter defense was at the top of Tatum's to-do list, right beside improving his free-throw shooting.

Tatum shot .596 from the free-throw line - subpar for a guard.

"It was a lack of concentration,'' Tatum said. "Even shooting 3s, the whole thing. I need to concentrate better.''

Tatum made just .315 of his 3-point attempts despite his hot-shooting performances against Georgetown (5-of-6) and Gonzaga (5-of-10).

"Bottom line," Tatum said, "I have to be more consistent."

With UT rising sophomore Scotty Hopson also playing shooting guard, and Tyler Smith returning to play minutes at small forward, Tatum knows his playing time will correlate with his improvement.

He's not complaining.

In fact, Tatum relishes the opportunities that lie ahead for the team because of Smith's return.

"Tyler coming back will make our national-championship run a lot better,'' Tatum said. "And Ty will show us some things he learned in NBA camps.

"I'm going to work hard to put myself in a position to succeed this season.''

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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