Jayson Tatum has had an incredible begin to his 2024-25 season. It appears like all of the disrespect he has obtained over the offseason has fueled him to take over the NBA.
By way of two video games, Tatum has amassed 62 factors, 16 assists, 15 rebounds, and is capturing 61% from the sphere and 50% from three. That stat line as a ahead has solely occurred one different time in NBA historical past and that was by Larry Fowl within the 1987 season. Not solely is Tatum having a historic begin to the season, he hasn’t performed a second within the 4th quarter.
Solely two forwards in NBA historical past have had at the very least 62 factors, 15 rebounds and 16 assists in season’s first 2 video games: Fowl in 1987 and Tatum this yr.
— Dick Lipe (@DickLipe) October 25, 2024
The Celtics as a complete have been on fireplace, blowing out the Knicks 132-109 on Opening Evening and beating the Wizards 122-102. Tatum has sat within the 4th quarter in each of those video games in order that begs the query: can he win MVP if his crew is so good he by no means performs within the 4th quarter?
We’ll must see if that development continues however despite the fact that its solely been two video games, Jayson Tatum’s identify has appeared within the MVP dialog and it wouldn’t shock me if that is the yr he truly wins it.
Tatum has been getting disrespected within the MVP dialog for a very long time now. Over the previous couple of years, you’d hear the narrative that “Jayson Tatum couldn’t win MVP as a result of he hasn’t gained a championship.” Regardless that that has by no means been the case for every other celebrity, Tatum was held to this normal and what occurred final season? He gained a championship.
After profitable the championship, individuals continued to disrespect him as a result of he didn’t win Finals MVP despite the fact that he led the Celtics in factors, rebounds, and assists, being the sixth participant in NBA historical past to take action. He went to the Olympics, was benched by Steve Kerr, and folks continued to disrespect him all summer season lengthy.
JT joins an elite group
Jayson Tatum is the sixth participant since 1980 to win a title whereas main their crew in PTS, REB and AST within the Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/RYAStc335U
— NBA (@NBA) June 18, 2024
When it comes all the way down to it, Tatum has heard the criticism about his recreation all summer season lengthy and made a concerted effort to raise his recreation. Everyone knows Jayson Tatum has modified his leap shot however not solely has his mechanics modified, his confidence in that shot has by no means been greater.
One in all my favourite examples of this got here from Thursday’s recreation towards the Wizards the place Tatum would toy with the second total decide Alex Sarr, crossing him up and hitting a step again three in his face.
Proper now it appears like Tatum’s confidence in his shot is in any respect time excessive and that’s going to be scary for the remainder of the NBA. If Tatum’s shot stays constant, he will probably be a reputable three-level scorer able to bullying you within the paint, hitting the mid vary shot over you, and lighting you up from past the arc.
Tatum was requested about how vital it was to win MVP for him after the Washington recreation and he gave an incredible reply saying, “championship is crucial, however being the perfect model of your self alongside the way in which is vital.”
This makes me suppose not solely is Tatum going for one more championship, however the MVP award as nicely.
“Championship is crucial, however being the perfect model of your self alongside the way in which is vital.”
Jayson Tatum discusses how vital profitable MVP is to him pic.twitter.com/Ig3nqezstY
— Celtics on NBC Sports activities Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 25, 2024
Is that this an overreaction two video games into the season? Possibly, however Jayson Tatum ought to be favourite to win MVP this season and he’s going to place all the league on discover.