Jayson Tatum is currently in 9th place in the Kia NBA Most Valuable Player ladder, sitting just behind Anthony Davis (8th) and in front of Russell Westbrook (10th). In his last four games, all wins for Boston, he is averaging 27.6 PPG, 5.6 ROG, 4.0 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.2 BPG, all while hitting 47% on field goals, 49% on treys and 84% from the foul line.
This brings me back to my one-on-one interview of Brian Scalabrine prior to the 2018-19 season. Scal was bullish on the Jay Team, and these were his thoughts on Tatum's ceiling:
"Kevin Durant-ish" no longer seems out of reach down the road. "First Team All-NBA?" It is a stretch, but he could be there by the end of the regular season. He has appeared unstoppable lately, and he does it all out there on the floor. Jayson is no longer just a shooter. He rebounds, facilitates, defends, gets steals and blocks shots.
A total of 15 NBA players are voted onto the three ALL-NBA Teams, and there is a good shot that Jayson Tatum will make the cut. He is playing like the All-Star he was projected to be - and it is only his third year in the League. When he reaches his ceiling, he will be aa absolute nightmare cover for defenders.
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Jayson Tatum is currently 9th on NBA dot com's MVP ladder.
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) February 7, 2020
1) Giannis Antetokounmpo
2) LeBron James
3) Kawhi Leonard
4) Jimmy Butler
5) Nikola Jokic
6) Luka Doncic
7) Damian Lillard
8) Anthony Davis
9) JAYSON TATUM
10) Russell Westbrook
Kemba Walker is listed on the fringe.
This brings me back to my one-on-one interview of Brian Scalabrine prior to the 2018-19 season. Scal was bullish on the Jay Team, and these were his thoughts on Tatum's ceiling:
Jayson (Tatum) can be Kevin Durant-ish. I always think MVP is always going to be an individual award - but I look at it like First Team All-NBA - if you're in that category, you're really doing something - I can see him flirting with that - I can see him like a Third-Team All-NBA this year.
"Kevin Durant-ish" no longer seems out of reach down the road. "First Team All-NBA?" It is a stretch, but he could be there by the end of the regular season. He has appeared unstoppable lately, and he does it all out there on the floor. Jayson is no longer just a shooter. He rebounds, facilitates, defends, gets steals and blocks shots.
Tatum put on every move he had on display 😨 pic.twitter.com/tZQ6vrKMkL
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 8, 2020
A total of 15 NBA players are voted onto the three ALL-NBA Teams, and there is a good shot that Jayson Tatum will make the cut. He is playing like the All-Star he was projected to be - and it is only his third year in the League. When he reaches his ceiling, he will be aa absolute nightmare cover for defenders.
Follow Tom at @Celtics Sentinel, @CausewayStreet and Facebook
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