The Boston Celtics pulled off their second win over the Denver Nuggets in the final game of the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games, defeating the 2023 NBA Champions 130-104. After the win, the media asked Jayson Tatum about his aspirations to win the elusive regular season MVP trophy, to which the Celtics star gave a frank answer.
“Everybody should have individual goals. We’re all mature enough and know what it’s like to have team success, nothing gets in the way of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
“Whether guys wanna make an All-Defensive team, be an All-Star, or be MVP, you should be able to go after that. It means you’re having a hell of a year, it means you’re dominating, and being the best version of yourself, which we want everyone to be.
“I’m not chasing MVP if it’s costing us games, but if I’m in that conversation, it means we’re one of the best teams, I’m playing the right way, and everybody on the team is having success and we’re going the right path.”
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season, falling out of contention for the MVP despite the Celtics winning 64 games due to individual performances not comparing to those of the three finalists, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Luka Doncic.
Tatum made it clear he was gunning for the trophy at points in the season before committing to helping the Celtics maximize their results as a team, leading to their 2024 Championship win. He didn’t win Eastern Conference or Finals MVP either, losing out to teammate Jaylen Brown for both accomplishments.
Much has been made about Tatum failing to win the individual trophies last season, but a championship ring will more than make up for any bad feelings the Celtics star has about last season. All he can do is focus on the next year and maximize his performance. If he’s consistent and the Celtics breach 60 wins again, the trophy can easily be his.
Could Jayson Tatum Contend For The MVP?
The 26-year-old Celtics forward has become an All-NBA First Team mainstay but hasn’t ever made it to the top three of MVP voting for a variety of reasons. In the past, it’s been inconsistent team success as well as his own performances, but nobody can doubt his ability to win that award given his skillset and production.
Tatum’s biggest challenge is the fact that the Celtics are simply too good. Jaylen Brown’s performances will take away from Tatum’s individual case, meanwhile, the rest of the roster also forms what many believe is comfortably the best team in the NBA.
Even if Tatum doesn’t replicate the numbers of players like Doncic and Shai, his impact on the roster isn’t considered as difference-making as Luka’s on the Mavericks or Jokic’s on the Nuggets.
With the opportunity for other players like Brown and Derrick White, it doesn’t seem like Tatum will be given the leeway to have high usage and production to compete with his opponents.
They have objectively heavier workloads as well, so it’ll be hard for voters to look at Tatum’s team accomplishments and award him the MVP if he doesn’t prove he’s just as productive as the likes of Doncic and SGA.
Read more from my coverage for Fadeaway World at the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games – Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets.
Adam Silver And Mark Tatum On The Growth Of Basketball Internationally And More NBA Global Games
EXCLUSIVE: Lonnie Walker Opens Up On Celtics’ Expectation And Potential G League Minutes
Michael Malone Gets Real On Nuggets Starting Lineup, KAT Trade, And Training Camp
Russell Westbrook And Al Horford Give Derrick Rose His Flowers After Retirement Announcement
Jamal Murray And Russell Westbrook Break Down How Their Relationship Has Evolved
Joe Mazzulla Dismisses Fatigue Concerns Around The Celtics Ahead Of 24-25 NBA Season
Jayson Tatum Excited To Face The Challenge Of Knicks And 76ers After Major Summer Moves
Nikola Jokic Gets Honest About Heavy Summer Workload Heading Into 24-25 Season
Michael Malone Marvels At Nikola Jokic’s Performance In Preseason Game Against The Celtics
Russell Westbrook Wants To Make The Game Easier For Nikola Jokic On The Nuggets
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