The Jayson Tatum MVP dialogue is rife on social media. The Boston Celtics maintain the perfect file within the NBA. They boast a +7.5 sport cushion on the high of the Jap Convention. To high all of it off, Tatum is clearly the perfect participant on the workforce. But, he finds himself fifth in MVP voting.
There’s no denying that another top-tier stars are having fun with an extremely productive season. Their averages are greater. Their particular person capturing numbers are greater. They usually’ve seemingly had a much bigger utilization charge all through the season. Tatum, alternatively, is sacrificing for the great of the workforce. He’s being a “professional’s professional.” He’s being a championship-caliber participant.
For probably the most half, it might seem that Tatum will likely be an afterthought within the general voting course of. That doesn’t sit effectively with Celtics followers who’ve watched their workforce’s franchise gamers present maturity and dedication all season.
Surprisingly, it doesn’t sit effectively with Draymond Inexperienced.
“So, the MVP race proper now, Joker is the chief on DraftKings. SGA, Luka, Giannis and Tatum are the subsequent 4. You realize, typically it’s like, ‘That workforce is profitable, and that man is the perfect participant and taking part in effectively,’” Inexperienced mentioned. “Clearly, the goalpost has shifted dramatically. As a result of on this man’s case, he’s fifth? They usually’ve bought a seven-and-a-half-game lead? That goalpost is shifting on JT. I don’t know what JT gotta do.”
“Jayson Tatum is not going to be taken critically for MVP till he wins a championship. It hasn’t been that means for everyone else.”
Draymond Inexperienced on Jayson Tatum not being on the high of the MVP dialog ️
(by way of @TheVolumeSports)pic.twitter.com/lvmFvHCH7T
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 26, 2024
Inexperienced continued by saying that Tatum must win a championship earlier than he will likely be taken critically as an MVP candidate.
“JT is not going to be taken severe for the MVP till he win a championship. And it simply hasn’t been that means for everyone else, I need to say. It was not that means for Joker. It was not that means for Giannis. It was not that means for Joel. I imply golly, that’s brutal. Younger fella, I don’t understand how the goalposts moved on you want that, however they need to acknowledge it. As a result of these are details.”
From all of the interviews and media availabilities we’ve seen from Tatum, it seems that he isn’t centered on particular person accolades. At the very least not this season. As an alternative, his thoughts is laser-focused on profitable a championship. However, the truth that different gamers within the league have begun to take discover of the distinction in what’s anticipated of Tatum in comparison with others across the league reveals how undervalued he’s exterior of the Celtics fanbase.
So, to make clear, Tatum must win a championship (and almost definitely NBA Finals MVP) earlier than he begins getting the popularity he deserves. Contemplating how motivated Tatum is and the way he regularly seems to show everybody unsuitable, that’s the excellent gasoline for him as he navigates the remainder of the basketball season and the playoffs. Then, if he does win a hoop this season, there could be no extra excuses from the media shifting ahead. Or not less than, you’d hope not.
