Who has been the ECF MVP so far?

[sgrogan]

I would bet on JT
I would vote for JB
I am rooting for AH

[celticsclay]

I am rooting for Horford. Probably will be decided in game 6 (hopefully not a game 7).

[sgrogan]

It’s Tatum. He draws by far the most attention from the defense, and his numbers have be understood in that context.

When his shot doesn’t fall he’s found other ways to make an impact - 12 boards and 9 assists last night - and would have more assists if people weren’t flinging so many bricks. And he was solid - as ever - on defense, playing 45 minutes(!) He took us home down the stretch too - handling the ball, scoring and getting to the line to keep Miami at arm’s length.

Sure, Jaylen has been the more efficient scorer, but Tatum is clearly more important in every other facet. People just looking to give it to Brown when Tatum is the one who is triple teamed every time and still producing across the board stats. I get that he hasn't been perfect, but as Tatum goes so does the team. Outside of last night, Jaylen's best games have been in losses.

At the same time, JT struggled mightily in Games 3 and 5 (the two most important games of the series), and he had 6 turnovers that led to a defeat in Game 1.

That's just the thing, though. You say that Tatum struggled mightily in game 5, but he still managed to put up 22p/12r/9a. Because of his success in this league at such a young age, Tatum is judged on a totally different scale than everybody else. I understand that he is underperforming compared to what we expect from Jayson Tatum, but the team still revolves around him. If we win the series, it will be because Tatum played well in at least one of the next [possible] two games.

Shrug.  If Jaylen shot 35% with five turnovers in Game 5, with 20% 3PT shooting, I doubt he'd get a free pass, regardless of what his stat line was.  I don't think it's a matter of Tatum having unrealistic expectations, I think it's that there have been a few objective deficiencies this series.

He definitely would if he got 9 assists and 12 rebounds. Look at how we celebrated White after game 4, even though he was 4/14 from the field. Jaylen is a good scorer and he has done well in that area in 3 out of 5 games, just like Tatum (both Jaylen and Jayson sucked in game 1 and all of their scoring stats came in garbage time).

Tatum just does so much more to make the team run. If we win, it is usually because of Tatum and, if we lose, it is usually because of Tatum. Jaylen blew up in game 3 (too little too late btw) and we didn't win. Why? Because Tatum sucked. But Jaylen sucked in game 4 and it didn't matter.

This is exactly it.  Boston goes as Tatum goes.  He is the only player that consistently drives the wins and losses of the team. 

I posted this elsewhere but in games where Brown scores at least 40 points this year, Boston is 1-2.  For Tatum, Boston is 6-0.  If you go down to 30 points, Boston is 11-6 when Brown does it.  For Tatum there are still 6 losses, but the wins are 29, so 29-6 when Tatum gets to 30. 

Tatum is obviously a more prolific scorer, but it also matters more when he does score than Brown.  Tatum is also a much better rebounder and passer and there are fairly equal defenders. 

Tatum is the guy that drives the Celtics success.

In general I agree.

But in this small sample size series
Game 3 (L), using your GmSc Tatum -1.2, Brown +28.5
Game 4 (W) Tatum +26.1, Brown + 0.9
If Tatum plays bad it doesn't matter how well anyone else plays.

Brown has actually equaled Tatum's rebounding in this series.

[jambr380]

Horford leading the poll is just hilarious at this point.

[gouki88]

Horford leading the poll is just hilarious at this point.

Hardcore reverse jinx!

[RockinRyA]

Zarba

[Phantom255x]

If Butler has another good game and they win Game 7, it's probably him

[jambr380]

If Butler has another good game and they win Game 7, it's probably him

Yeah, can we reset the poll? I want to change my vote to Butler. He was absolutely atrocious in games 3-5, but Miami now has the advantage going back home. Cs still have a chance, but the % went way down after this loss.

[Goldstar88]

Eric Spolestra. Most valuable person.

[SparzWizard]

Eric Spolestra. Most valuable person.

No doubt, best coach in the league. Rallied his team together, does his X's and O's well. The only guy I respect from the Heat.

[angryguy77]

Zarba. Well according to Miami he is.

[Big333223]

Tatum averaging more than 5 to's per game this series. He's gotta get that under control if the Celtics want to win game 7.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

I think it gets overwhelmingly decided tmw. Heat=Buckets. Celtics=LegendintheMaking Tatum.

Go Celtics! Beat the Heat!!!!!!!!

[Phantom255x]

I think it gets overwhelmingly decided tmw. Heat=Buckets. Celtics=LegendintheMaking Tatum.

Go Celtics! Beat the Heat!!!!!!!!

Can't wait for Pritchard to randomly put up 30 with 10 3s and win the MVP 

[Big333223]

If the Heat win tonight, Jimmy gets MVP.

If the Celtics win, I think it'll be whoever has the biggest game tonight. If any one of Tatum, Brown, Horford or even White have their best game of the series I think they could win it.