Jayson Tatum adds to MVP case with latest accomplishment
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a dunk in the fourth quarter during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on February 27, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
For the second time this season, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was the best player in the Eastern Conference for an entire month. On Monday, the NBA announced Tatum as the Eastern Conference Player of the month for the month of February.
In 10 games in February, Tatum averaged 27.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game as the Celtics went 9-1. He shot 48 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three during that stretch.
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This is Tatum’s fourth career Player of the Month award, tying him with Paul Pierce for the second-most in Celtics history, trailing only Larry Bird’s seven. Pierce is also the first Celtic to win the award twice in the same season since Pierce did during the 2001-2002 season (December/April). Bird also accomplished that feat twice in his career.
The multiple wins should only help Tatum’s MVP case. Tatum is also the fist player to win multiple Player of the Month awards this season. As of Monday afternoon DraftKings had him with the fifth-highest odds to win the award, at +2200. Luka Doncic, who is listed ahead of him, won Western Conference Player of the Month.
For the season, Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game (with the assist number on pace to be a career high). He was named a starter for the East in the All-Star game last month.
Tatum wasn’t the only Celtic to receive league recognition on Monday. While he got the monthly award, Jaylen Brown was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the final week of February. In three games – all Celtics wins – Brown averaged 28.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the floor.
Grading the Boston Celtics at the All-star break
The All-Star break has arrived in the NBA, and so concludes one of the more dominant stretches of Boston Celtics basketball. The Celtics headed into the All-Star break at 43-12. Sitting comfortably in first place in the Eastern conference, and establishing themselves as one of the more dominant teams in the league and a title favorite.
Boston has been on the brink of the title the last few seasons, and Brad Stevens off-season moves, seem to already be paying massive dividends for for this year’s team with the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. Boston has been the best team in the league the first half of this season so I figured now that it’s the All-Star break let’s take a deeper dive into the roster and give some grades on the more important players on the roster.
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)
Jayson Tatum: A
Tatum is the best player on the best team in the league. Every year he continues to ascend into the superstar all Boston fans were hoping he would become. Tatum continues to not just develop offensively but also defensively, and it seems like the game just continues to slow down for him. Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in the first half leading Boston to it’s incredible 43-12 record and first place in the East. Giving Tatum an A is one of the easiest grades I’ll hand out today being the best player on the best team in the league gets you an A every single time.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 17: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the first quarter of the Celtic’s preseason game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on October 17, 2023 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kristaps Porzingis: A-
The biggest off-season edition for the Celtics was the 7’3″ unicorn Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis has been phenomenal, in his first stint with the Celtics. Fitting into the locker room, seamlessly and fitting into the rotation just as seamlessly.
Porzingis is averaging 20.2 points 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while also defending the rim and stretching the floor on offense. The only reason Porzingis is an A- and not an A is because of health. Which will continue to be a concern for Celtics fans as the season goes on.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 10: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden on January 10, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Timberwolves 127-120 in overtime. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Derrick White: A
Derrick White another Brad Stevens masterclass move acquiring him from the San Antonio Spurs has been absolutely tremendous for the Celtics. White is the spark plug for Boston. He gets them going offensively and defensively, impacting the game on both ends every night.
White averages 15.6 points 3.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game, shooting 39.7% from 3 point range on the season. White is a key piece for a Celtics team trying to win it’s first title since 2008, if Boston is going to win it all White will need to continue his ascent on both ends.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 25: Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a shot in the first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2023 in New York City. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
Jrue Holiday: B
Brad Stevens, other big off-season acquisition was Jrue Holiday a move that came as somewhat of a surprised after the Bucks moved him to Portland for Damian Lillard. Holiday is a tremendous player but his time with Boston get off of a Rocky start as far as Rocky starts go for teams that are 43 and 12.
A tremendous defensive player and has really started to get his offense going in recent weeks. He has been the last two weeks this season. He’d easily be in the air range, but his slow start and not so great defense off the jump has put him in the B range. Holiday will be leaned on heavily defensively in the postseason and if his play of late is any indicator Celtics fans should feel great about that.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 04: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball past Myles Turner #33 and Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers in the first quarter during the NBA In-Season Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 04, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Jaylen Brown: B
Probably the most polarizing player on the Celtics this season. Brown is the highest paid player on the team and has started to face more criticism this season. As fans are skeptical of his ball handling and free throw shooting late in games that could rear its ugly head in the postseason.
Brown was tremendous out of the gate for the Celtics and I don’t want to discredit any of that but he struggled heading into the break especially late in games. Brown is a tremendous scorer and with his freak athleticism has the ability to impact the game drastically on both ends. Something that he’s been more vocal about doing this season. If Boston is going to get back to the Finals Brown is a pivotal piece and the team will need him to figure out his late game struggles.
Al Horford of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden on Feb. 3, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Al Horford: B+
Horford is the elder statesman of the Celtics and this season he’s been coming off the bench more than the past. He’s still been one of the more impactful players on the roster. Horford just seems to be there whenever the Celtics need them for a big shot or big defensive stop.
Coming off the bench and sitting on back-to-backs has really helped Horford be an impact player every time he’s on the floor. With the defense acumen of Porzingis holiday, Horford Tatum and White. Boston has the potential to really lock down in the playoffs and help them get back to the finals and hopefully win it this time.
Boston still has time to make some moves at the trade deadline that could strengthen their already dominant roster. But as currently constituted Boston is as good as any team in the league and especially the Eastern conference. For Celtics fans anything other than a trip back to the NBA Finals would be a disappointment.
