Small change this year. Rather than offering a MVP race weekly, which was repeated too often in our eyes, we decided to adopt a monthly one.
The race for MVP #1: a new Joel Embiid – Nikola Jokic duel?
The race for MVP #2: is sixth the right one for Luka Doncic?
The race for MVP #3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander follows in the footsteps of the greatest
And we had to wait until the fourth point of the season to see an evolution in our Top 5, with Joel Embiid who is now out of the race due to his repeated absences. Leaving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as leader of the peloton, with Nikola Jokic in ambush, then Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo And Jayson Tatum who are far from having said their last word.
A concrete file?
This is also the file Jayson Tatum which interests us this month. Even more so after his recent outing in the press, where he said he regretted not being judged for his current but past performances.
“ There has been a lot of discussion in recent days and these players [Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic et Giannis Antetokounmpo, ndlr] have huge stats in every game and they do a lot for their team. I have no problem seeing these players dominate the race for MVP. I'm not saying I have to be first, but I just have a problem with some people saying on TV that I won't win the trophy this season for things I did two years ago » he explained last week, in particular with reference to his 2022 Finals lost to the Warriors (21.5 points at 37% shooting).
However, we cannot say that the very complete Jayson Tatum is not doing everything necessary to legitimize his candidacy for the 2024 MVP title.
Already, collectively, “its” Celtics lead the Eastern Conference and the league, with 46 wins and 12 losses for a superb 79.3% success rate. In other words, something never seen before for the franchise since 2008 (80.5%)!
Then, individually, “Jay” had another All-Star and All-NBA caliber season. Certainly he is less productive than the previous one, but more efficient and mature than ever, with teammates ready to put themselves at his service.
On the verge of joining a circle as closed as it is prestigious
Enough, traditionally, to establish oneself among the favorites for the most prestigious individual trophies. Except that, this season, we hear very (too much?) little about Jayson Tatum. To the great dismay of his coach…
“ Yes, he deserves more [de considération] » recently advanced Joe Mazzulla. “ First of all, we must define the term “valuable”. It's not just about scoring. It is an ability to achieve lasting success, to make others better, to be great. He's been doing this for a long time and I think he's underrated. He does a great job of redefining what it means to be the best player. He does it every night and differently. You really have to watch the matches to understand the impact he has, especially on his teammates. »
Historically, if we look at minimum players 27 points average And 79% wins over a season, we see in any case that they are only… eight to meet these two conditions. Not counting Jayson Tatum, well on his way to becoming the ninth and adding to this very closed and no less prestigious circle, continuing his momentum.
However, of the eight players in question here, it is interesting to observe that… seven of them ended up being elected MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1971), Michael Jordan (1992, 1996), Shaquille O 'Neal (2000), LeBron James (2009), Stephen Curry (2016) and James Harden (2018).
The only exception? Michael Jordan in 1997… who, however, consoled himself with the NBA and Finals MVP titles in the process, despite his “failure” suffered in front of Karl Malone (and which some probably still don't understand today…).
Getting respect in the playoffs
Speaking of the NBA title, it is precisely this hole in his record that Jayson Tatum is currently lacking, according to the still very clear-cut Draymond Green.
“ Obviously, the criteria have changed a lot because, in the case of [Jayson Tatum]he is only fifth [de la course pour le MVP] ? While his team has a 7.5 game lead [sur le 2e] in his conference? Yes, the criteria has changed for him and I know what he needs to do: Jayson won't be taken seriously for MVP until he wins a title. But that wasn't the case for everyone: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid… It wasn't their case, so I don't know why it works like that for Jayson » was surprised at the start of the week the four-time NBA champion Warriors.
It remains to be seen whether voters will end up rewarding the individual and collective levels of play of Jayson Tatum and the Celtics, even if the latest ESPN poll indicates quite the opposite. Otherwise, he will probably have to obtain the respect of observers by having a memorable playoff campaign and leading his team to the title, the year he turned 26.
And thus imitate illustrious players like Bill Walton, Magic Johnson and Tim Duncan, who became regular season MVPs After having been crowned NBA champions and named MVP of the Finals. A path which is ultimately not so frequent, because these are the only three to have taken it…
RACE FOR MVP: OUR TOP 5
1 – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Summary: 41 wins, 17 losses – 2nd in the West.
Matches: 57 disputed out of 58 possible.
Stats: 31.2 pts, 5.6 reb, 6.5 pads, 2.1 int, 0.9 ctr and 2.2 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 55% on shots, including 39% on 3-pointers, and 88% on throws.
2 – Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Summary: 39 wins, 19 losses – 3rd in the West.
Matches: 56 disputed out of 58 possible.
Stats: 26.1 pts, 12.3 reb, 9.3 pads, 1.2 int, 0.9 ctr and 2.9 pdb in 34 min.
Percentages: 58% on shots, including 35% on 3-pointers, and 81% on throws.
3 – Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
Summary: 33 wins, 25 losses – 8th in the West.
Matches: 50 disputed out of 58 possible.
Stats: 34.5 pts, 8.8 reb, 9.6 pads, 1.5 int, 0.6 ctr and 3.9 pdb in 38 min.
Percentages: 49% on shots, including 38% on 3-pointers, and 78% on throws.
4 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Summary: 38 wins, 21 losses – 3rd in the East.
Matches: 57 disputed out of 59 possible.
Stats: 30.7 pts, 11.2 reb, 6.3 pads, 1.3 int, 1.0 ctr and 3.5 pdb in 35 min.
Percentages: 62% on shots, including 28% on 3-pointers, and 66% on throws.
5 – Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Summary: 46 wins, 12 losses – 1st in the East.
Matches: 55 disputed out of 58 possible.
Stats: 27.0 pts, 8.5 reb, 4.9 pads, 1.0 int, 0.6 ctr and 2.5 pdb in 36 min.
Percentages: 48% on shots, including 36% on 3-pointers, and 82% on throws.
Mentions : Anthony Edwards (Wolves), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)…
