Jayson Tatum is coming off a campaign where he earned All-NBA First Team honors. The three-time All-Star produced 26.9 points, eight rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, all career highs.
Along with making meaningful strides in creating quality scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, Tatum led the NBA in defensive win shares with 4.6, per basketball-reference.com. He also swiped a steal per contest.
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
As evidenced by the Celtics reaching at least the Eastern Conference Finals in three of Tatum’s first five NBA seasons, his stats aren’t just empty calories. Boston’s remarkable in-season turnaround, going from 11th in the East in January to returning to the Finals for the first time since 2010, reinforced that.
Tatum’s success and what it means to the Celtics as a collective has earned him two of the 15 votes for who a panel of NBA coaches, scouts, and executives believe will be the best player in the Association in five years. Tim Bontemps of ESPN conducted the poll.
The two who received more votes than Tatum were 27-year-old two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who got seven, and 23-year-old Luka Doncic, who got six.
“Just because of the defensive component,” said an Eastern Conference scout speaking about Tatum. “Luka is a stud, and you don’t need to be a defensive lockdown guy to be an All-NBA player like he is, but having Tatum’s self-creation ability, his physical tools, and his ability to give you defensive versatility, that’s pretty special.
“Luka did a hell of a job carrying that team this year, but the two-way wing creator/scorer is the ultimate archetype, and Tatum is that at 24 years old and just got that team to the Finals. I just like his ability to give you something defensively that Luka will likely never be able to.”
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Tatum winning a ring within the next five years would go a long way towards establishing himself as the NBA’s best player. It may even be necessary for him to reach those heights. He also might accomplish that and raise banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters this season. Some, such as FanDuel Sportsbook, see Boston as the betting favorite to win the 2022-23 NBA title.
Scroll to Continue
Further Reading
Danilo Gallinari Suffers Torn Meniscus; Examining the Recovery Timeline and Where the Celtics Go from Here
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown Know Team Success Brings Individual Honors: ‘We’re trying to accomplish something together’
As Rumors About the Celtics Trading for Kevin Durant Persisted, Ime Udoka Checked in with Jaylen Brown
Examining How the Celtics Might Manage Their Center Rotation
Brad Stevens on Jaylen Brown Trade Rumors: ‘Since the Brogdon trade, we felt really good about our team’
Jayson Tatum Addresses Workout Photos With Kevin Durant, Sheds Light On Previously Undisclosed Injury
[Watch] Jaylen Brown Pushes Himself to the Limit in Offseason Workout
Here’s What Stands Out About the Celtics’ Schedule
.