Tatum Has Entered the MVP Race

[Redz]

He's got to be considered right?  If the Celts finish the season playing at this level and Tatum continues to lead the way, he's every bit the valuable player of Embiid, Nokic or anyone else. 

[slamtheking]

I'm sure he's made his way into the conversation but his play during the first half of the season will keep him from winning it.  I think his current play will jumpstart him in the discussions going into next season though

[mr. dee]

He's already at top 5, imo but no way he wins it this season because they sucked in the first half. Maybe next season when they win more than 55 games.

[Kiorrik]

Okay hear me out

I think perhaps he has less of a chance, because he's on a TEAM team.

We're kicking the snot outta people because we've played gorgeous team basketball. Yes Tatum has been the best player on our team. Yes you could make a case that right now he's the best player, on the best team. By a mile too. Not even close.

But I can sure imagine people not voting for him because he'd be in content "because the Celtics are winning".

8th in points per game. 45th in assists. 31st in rebounds.

Someone like Luka is above him in every single category ... on a bad team ... and has them in virtually the same position as the C's.

Arguably, that makes Luka a better player; he's making a "bigger difference" than Tatum is.

Does that make sense?

So, I'd say he's in the discussion, but probably not in it.

[Atzar]

My honest opinion is that Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid are in a tier of their own this season and Tatum - when also considering his slow start to the season - is not on that level.

If we get an entire season of this out of him next year, I expect that my stance will be entirely different. 

[liam]

My honest opinion is that Jokic, Giannis, and Embiid are in a tier of their own this season and Tatum - when also considering his slow start to the season - is not on that level.

If we get an entire season of this out of him next year, I expect that my stance will be entirely different.

If we end up with that one seed in the East he has to be in consideration.

[pokeKingCurtis]

[Moranis]

Okay hear me out

I think perhaps he has less of a chance, because he's on a TEAM team.

We're kicking the snot outta people because we've played gorgeous team basketball. Yes Tatum has been the best player on our team. Yes you could make a case that right now he's the best player, on the best team. By a mile too. Not even close.

But I can sure imagine people not voting for him because he'd be in content "because the Celtics are winning".

8th in points per game. 45th in assists. 31st in rebounds.

Someone like Luka is above him in every single category ... on a bad team ... and has them in virtually the same position as the C's.

Arguably, that makes Luka a better player; he's making a "bigger difference" than Tatum is.

Does that make sense?

So, I'd say he's in the discussion, but probably not in it.

Except Luka has a -2.3 on/off differential per 100 possessions, while Tatum has a +13.6.  In the only thing that really matters i.e. the scoreboard, Tatum makes a SIGNIFICANTLY greater impact than Doncic.

[Kiorrik]

Okay hear me out

I think perhaps he has less of a chance, because he's on a TEAM team.

We're kicking the snot outta people because we've played gorgeous team basketball. Yes Tatum has been the best player on our team. Yes you could make a case that right now he's the best player, on the best team. By a mile too. Not even close.

But I can sure imagine people not voting for him because he'd be in content "because the Celtics are winning".

8th in points per game. 45th in assists. 31st in rebounds.

Someone like Luka is above him in every single category ... on a bad team ... and has them in virtually the same position as the C's.

Arguably, that makes Luka a better player; he's making a "bigger difference" than Tatum is.

Does that make sense?

So, I'd say he's in the discussion, but probably not in it.

Except Luka has a -2.3 on/off differential per 100 possessions, while Tatum has a +13.6.  In the only thing that really matters i.e. the scoreboard, Tatum makes a SIGNIFICANTLY greater impact than Doncic.

I don't disagree with you - but public perception isn't gonna go that deep. Hence why I think he'll end up lower.

[Who]

I could see Tatum being the 4th or 5th guy on the ballot but no real threat to winning the award this season.

[Moranis]

I could see Tatum being the 4th or 5th guy on the ballot but no real threat to winning the award this season.

which is probably where he should be because Giannis, Jokic, and Embiid are all clearly ahead of him (so that means 4th at best). 

[footey]

Tatum will win MVP next season, after leading the Celtics to their 18th championship this season.

[GreenlyGreeny]

If we finish with the one seed and he has a monster start to the playoffs (I know it’s a regular season award but that can still bias votes), he will get some votes. Doubt he gets it over Jokic, but who knows.

[SparzWizard]

You right though.

He'll win Finals MVP along with Banner #18 this June 

[bdm860]

Okay hear me out

I think perhaps he has less of a chance, because he's on a TEAM team.

We're kicking the snot outta people because we've played gorgeous team basketball. Yes Tatum has been the best player on our team. Yes you could make a case that right now he's the best player, on the best team. By a mile too. Not even close.

But I can sure imagine people not voting for him because he'd be in content "because the Celtics are winning".

Personally, I don't think this is the case, I actually think the opposite.  It's because the Celtics aren't winning enough.

We all know the Celtics are doing great right now, but we can't ignore the terrible first half of the season.

If the C's were doing this all year and had a record like Phoenix's, expected to finish in the mid-to-upper 60's for total wins (the C's current 23-4 stretch puts them on pace for 70 wins over a full season), Tatum would probably be the favorite to win.

A lot of MVP voters probably think like Shaq, who just recently compared the Celtics to the Bulls,  and whIle I disagree with his views on the Celtics, I can't blame him, I wouldn't want DeMar DeRozan getting MVP or All-NBA votes over Tatum because the Bulls had a great first half.

You got to lead your team all year to win MVP, not half a season.