Eager to win the title to become the face of the NBA, therefore very ambitious, Jayson Tatum is the best player and scorer on the best team in the league. However, his name is not often mentioned among the candidates for the MVP trophy.
In recent weeks, now that Joel Embiid is no longer in the race, we no longer hear about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic or even former winners like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic. Which bothers his coach.
“Yes, he deserves more”, advance Joe Mazzulla. “Already, we must define the term “valuable”. It's not just about scoring, it's an ability to have lasting success, to make others better, to be great. He's been doing this for a long time and I think he's underrated. He does a great job of redefining what it means to be the best player. He does it every night and differently. You really have to watch the matches to understand the impact he has, especially on his teammates. »
Overwhelmed by its 2022 Finals?
So why isn't Jayson Tatum considered enough in the MVP race? “Apparently losing in the Finals two years ago influences what people think”replied the winger during the All-Star weekend.
The Celtics player refers to the comments of ESPN journalist Brian Winhorst. The latter analyzed that “two things were working against Tatum” because the MVP is as much a reward for the current season as it is a story that needs to be told. “He had bad Finals in 2022, having several bad matches, and they lost”, continues our colleague. “Last year, against the Heat, he was not good, with a catastrophic Game 7. He has a few spots on his record. »
This observation, true or false, seems to affect Jayson Tatum, who hopes to be judged differently against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic or Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“There is a lot of discussion in recent days and these players have huge statistics every game and do a lot for their team. I have no problem seeing these players dominate the race for MVP,” he reacts. “I'm not saying I have to be first, I just have a problem with some people saying on TV that I won't win the trophy this season for things I did two years ago. »
Banking on the intelligence of voters
He therefore estimates that averaging 27.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the team that dominates the league should be a strong argument. Even if he scores less than last season, where he finished fourth behind Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I don't have the points per game average of the three or four favorites but I think the voters are smart enough to understand the dynamic of our team. I have to score a little less some nights but I still have an impact in many ways to make sure we win every night,” specifies Jayson Tatum. “I've been All-NBA for two years, and last year I was at 30 points per game. So, it's human, we always want to score more. We see other players over 30 points and we know we can do it. But progressing and moving forward means understanding that you have this possibility, taking advantage of it as much as possible and also raising your teammates. »
| Jayson Tatum | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 80 | 31 | 47.5 | 43.4 | 82.6 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 13.9 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 79 | 31 | 45.0 | 37.3 | 85.5 | 0.9 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 15.7 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 66 | 34 | 45.0 | 40.3 | 81.2 | 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 23.4 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 64 | 36 | 45.9 | 38.6 | 86.8 | 0.8 | 6.6 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 76 | 36 | 45.3 | 35.3 | 85.3 | 1.1 | 6.9 | 8.0 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 26.9 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 74 | 37 | 46.6 | 35.0 | 85.4 | 1.1 | 7.7 | 8.8 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 30.1 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 52 | 36 | 47.5 | 36.3 | 82.4 | 0.9 | 7.7 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 27.1 |
| Total | 491 | 34 | 46.0 | 37.4 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 6.3 | 7.2 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 23.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
