A case for Jayson Tatum as first half MVP
The Celtics finished off a home and home series with Brooklyn dominating out of the gates on Wednesday scoring 68 first half points and giving up just 32 points. Derek…
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 30: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after scoring a three-point basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second quarter at the TD Garden on January 30, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
The Celtics finished off a home and home series with Brooklyn dominating out of the gates on Wednesday scoring 68 first half points and giving up just 32 points. Derek White had 19 first half points making a statement as he was not selected to the All-Star game this season. He finished with 27 points in the the Celtics 136-86 win as the team enters the break in first place at 43-12.
Jayson Tatum has been outstanding over the last 8 games. Leading the team in points per game (29.9), rebounds (9.3) and (6.6) assists to go along with 1 steal and 1 block per game. He had a 41 points and 14 rebounds against Brooklyn on Tuesday and heard MVP Chant's from the crowd. Tatum added another 20 points and has now done that in 12 straight consecutive games. You could make the case he has been the MVP through the first half of the season. His team has the best record in the NBA and he is the most consistent player on a very talented roster. He is 9th in the NBA in Scoring, 22nd in rebounds averaging almost 5 assists a game. He's improved his game offensively in the post and had some key blocks late in games this season. Tatum is shooting a career-best 47.6 percent from the floor and 36.4 percent from 3. His points per game are lower as he has become more of a playmaker this season.
An ESPN straw poll that came out Tuesday morning slotted Tatum sixth among MVP candidates. The five in front of him: Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas’ Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard. Nick Young says Jayson Tatum is the MVP "I've never seen someone get so disrespected in my life. How do y'all keep putting the Joker and all these other people over him?"
As the team heads into the All-Star break, Tatum and Jaylen Brown will be honored among the stars of the NBA. Brown will participate in the slam dunk contest and has mentioned Tatum could be involved. Tatum was the MVP of the all-star game last season scoring 55 points. Tatum's play this season shows he is not interested in just individual awards, his sacrifice has the team with the best record in the NBA and focused on a championship.
Tatum's first half MVP take should be matched up with Nikola Jokic & SGA considering Oklahoma City's 37 wins this season. It should not be forgotten who the best player on the best team in the NBA is and that man is Jayson Tatum.
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