Jayson Tatum Emerges as MVP Contender, Backed by NBA Analysts

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown know the Celtics will only quiet doubters by winning the NBA championship - The Boston Globe

As the NBA All-Star break unfolds, Boston Celtics’ standout Jayson Tatum finds himself once again thrust into the MVP conversation for the second consecutive season, drawing vocal support from prominent NBA analysts.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, renowned for his insightful basketball commentary, recently voiced his backing for Tatum during Thursday’s episode of “First Take.” Joining the chorus of support, Smith’s colleague Kendrick Perkins echoed similar sentiments in an interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.

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“I’m voting for Jayson Tatum,” Perkins affirmed, emphasizing his criteria of acknowledging the best player with the best record. With the Celtics currently boasting the league’s best record at 43-12, Tatum’s pivotal role in their success cannot be understated.

Perkins elaborated on Tatum’s contributions, highlighting his impressive statistical performance with an average of around 27 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, coupled with an outstanding two-point field goal percentage hovering around 55 percent.

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The Celtics’ dominance in the standings, holding a commanding six-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, further bolsters Tatum’s MVP candidacy in Perkins’ view.

“If the Celtics finish with the number one seed overall, the best record in the league, which I believe they will,” Perkins asserted, “Tatum is getting my vote.”

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Despite his enduring connection to the Celtics organization, Perkins addressed the sometimes contentious relationship he has had with Boston fans in recent years, delivering a heartfelt message urging for mutual respect and understanding.

“I love y’all Boston fans,” Perkins expressed passionately. “Look, stop trolling me, okay? You know where my heart is at. I love y’all.”

As the MVP race intensifies heading into the latter half of the NBA season, Jayson Tatum’s stellar performance and the unwavering support from influential voices in the basketball community continue to solidify his status as a frontrunner for the league’s most prestigious individual honor.