When Jayson Tatum spoke about his MVP candidacy over All-Star weekend, it was clear that he recognized how his sacrifices as a scorer were hurting his case for the award while also boosting his championship dreams and establishing himself as one of the NBA’s most recognizable faces.
He does not need to win a championship to establish himself as an undisputed member of that group. However, even that elite class is hierarchical, and in order to reach the heights of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, the two-time All-NBA First Team pick must win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
While Tatum will not win his first MVP award this season, he is averaging 27 points, 8.4 rebounds, a career-high 4.9 assists, and one steal per game. He is also seventh in defensive win shares and, at times, insists on guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter player.
His all-around influence and unwavering devotion to making the right play, no matter what it takes, has helped propel the Boston Celtics to a 51-14 record, six games ahead of the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 45-20 and tied for the second-best record in the NBA.
Durant, a former league MVP, provided his opinion on Tatum’s case for the award ahead of the Celtics’ game against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on Thursday.
“His consistency all year,” said the four-time scoring champion through Duane Rankin of AZ Central.He’s racking up a lot of points. Stats are important in determining MVP. His squad is winning games, and by a landslide…The record is also an important consideration. He’s also had MVP-caliber seasons in the past several years. It’s all about your narrative.”
The ten-time All-NBA pick and potential Basketball Hall of Famer also spoke on the passing of the torch as Tatum, who turned 26 in March, reaches his prime.
“I’ve been in this league a long time now, and I know when it’s a passing of the guard,” Durant said. “I know when the younger guys will come in and do what the older guys are doing. He’s one of those individuals who I believe will dominate the league for the next 10-12 years and become a staple in our game’s history.”