NBA MVP Ladder 3.0: Nikola Jokic leads heading into the final stretch

No. 4: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum is the best player on the NBA’s best team at this point and if the Celtics finish with the top seed in the East, he should garner strong consideration. His offensive numbers may be a bit underwhelming when compared to the other candidates considering that he is surrounded by a complete team and the fact that expends a lot of energy on the defensive end as well.

Tatum is the key cog that makes the Celtics engine go, and if you take him off this team they are a play-in team at best but Tatum gives them the edge that makes them championship contenders. The thing that could hurt Tatum’s chances is the fact that he plays on one of the most talented rosters and some voters may hold that against him but he shouldn’t be at fault due to the Celtics’ front office having the ability and foresight to build a roster the right way.

Even with a talented cast of players surrounding him, Tatum is still putting up MVP-caliber numbers. His leadership has also improved as he leads by example and puts the team on his back whenever they need him most.

His versatility also sets him apart as he is capable of scoring in a variety of ways with his fantastic handles, being able to go in any direction, from being able to shoot the lights out from midrange and behind the arc to finishing strong at the rim. Also, let’s compare his numbers against other MVP candidates.

On Christmas Day, Tatum dropped 41 on Antetokounmpo and the Bucks as he led the Celtics to victory. Tatum has also averaged 29.5 points per game in two matchups against two-time reigning MVP Jokic so we know that he can definitely hold his own whenever they face off against one another and that should count for something.

It’s also evident that he is playing with more confidence since last season’s Finals run and if Tatum can keep the Celtics afloat in the East, then he will garner strong consideration.