Being named MVP is one of Jayson Tatum‘s career goals, but leading the Celtics to an NBA title ranks higher on his list, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Tatum said at All-Star Weekend that he believes voters look at him differently based on a subpar performance in the 2022 Finals, Washburn adds. Although Tatum averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists in that series, he shot just 31% on two-pointers and had difficulty scoring inside against Andrew Wiggins.
“Of course you want to win those things,” Tatum told reporters last weekend in Indianapolis. “But you can’t take precedence over playing the right way and doing the things that you have to do in order for your team to essentially be the best team in the league and have a chance to win a championship. Would I love to win? Yes. But apparently us losing the Finals two years ago affects what people think of me now, so I guess I’ve got some ground to make up.”
Tatum’s MVP case is boosted by the dominance of the Celtics, who won their eighth straight game Saturday in New York. Boston holds the league’s best record by a wide margin, but its roster is so talented that Tatum doesn’t have to carry the team, which often limits the stats that voters tend to look at when casting their ballots. Coach Joe Mazzulla made that point after Tatum’s 19-point performance against the Knicks.
“I thought today was a beautiful display of basketball from Jayson that will go underlooked and will not go into the most valuable category,” Mazzulla said. “But his ability to control the game with his pick-and-roll pace, his pick-and-roll passing; his defense, he put himself on ((Jalen) Brunson. And the poise of welcoming the two-on-ones (double teams) and creating for others was great.”
There’s more on the Celtics:
- Kristaps Porzingis, one of Boston’s major acquisitions last summer, gives credit to the front office for its bold moves in assembling the current roster, per Souichi Terada of MassLive. “When the opportunity presented, for me at least, I said this is gonna work, 100%,” Porzingis said. “Or we’re gonna figure it out sooner than later. And it just worked right away because of the fit, because of where I am in my career, and adding Jrue (Holiday). … So just overall great players but also great people and that makes the team connect very easily.”
- With an eight-game lead for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, Mazzulla will have the opportunity to rest players for the remainder of the season to keep them fresh for the playoffs, notes Brian Robb of MassLive. He adds that it’s a luxury for a team that may have worn itself out by chasing seedings in past years.
- Senior consultant of basketball operations Jeff Van Gundy has stayed out of the spotlight, but he has been a welcome addition to the Celtics’ management team, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “One of the best things he does is he’s just a great listener,” Mazzulla said. “And so you don’t realize how long he’s been in the NBA. You don’t realize the playoff series that he’s been in, the experiences that he’s had, because he waits for the opportunity to come up and almost waits for you to ask him. So he’s very patient. He’s a great listener. And then just a guy that you can bounce ideas off of.”
Anyone think KP should win the comeback player of the yr and should White win the most improved player he’s definitely making the all nba defensive team
Yes, Jason Tatum is bigger and faster and quicker than in past seasons and is now playing smarter than earlier this season. He’s better across the board. Less contested threes, sharing the ball more, driving beautifully, shooting more mid-range jumpers (he came into the league as a mid-range shooter, right?), lots of defensive boards and clutch blocks when needed in crunch time.
Actually the whole roster is playing its best team ball of this & recent seasons.
Go Celtics!
Definitely maturing. Doesn’t get enough credit for his D either. Brunson the habitual contact seeking protected species had nothing when JT was his primary defender. Knicks tried blitzing Tatum with doubles and got burnt badly yesterday. May of kept Tatum to under 30 but Tatum’s ability to dribble, spin or pass out of the double only got other guys going. One or two passes later open shots galore. The trust, decision making, efficiency and IQ is at its highest peak and only getting better. I can see the knicks pulling a Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, sorry Al.
Oh, & a point about Coach Mazzulla, he praises people, like Van Gundy above. That’s very motivating for most, although maybe not for the “tough love, kick-ass” guys. Go Celts!
White and KP have both stepped up their gm. I still see Holiday getting better. This is a good solid team. Still can get better. I still see Bucks and Celtics as the best. With Cavs and Knicks healthy a tough out for anyone.
Let me add the Heat and Pacers to that.
Knicks have put a good squad together and definitely trending in the right direction which is good for the league. These injuries are starting to cruel them. Not much time left for building chemistry. I think Bogdanovic is a funny fit. Doesn’t seem like a thibs guy, a passenger on the defensive end. Expensive shooter who has a much more limited role on New York than Detriot. He is a good trade chip still though. Don’t sleep on Miami Al, been together a while, know how to get it done when it counts. Got everything they need to be successful. A closer in Butler. 1st 2nd 3rd scoring options. Best defensive centre in the league far as ability to switch and guard wings and guards. Just so happens to get you 20 and 10. Got shooters from deep who can spread the floor in Herro, Robinson, jaquez jr. Even martin and Rozier can be streaky. Got toughness and glue guys too. Knicks are deep for sure but possibly missing top end talent for now. Can Definitely put together a good package if a difference maker becomes available.
Yeah I agree . Heat healthy will show up for playoffs. But if they get the Bucks. Bucks are not losing to them this yr. This yr the playoffs are going to be fun.