Tatum Time: Is Boston's Prime Star Forward a Favorite to Win the MVP?
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After a very turbulent finish to the 2023-24 campaign and somewhat getting carried in the 2024 Playoffs and the Olympics, it does seem that Jayson Tatum has a lot to prove in his games considering how his star status has been blemished by his poor performances in the previous campaign. But can he win the MVP award this season for the first time in his career?
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Get Tickets for Jayson Tatum’s Redemption Tour
Well, it all stacks up as to how far a person can actually go in terms of winning it all. Tatum was a lackluster performer for most of the previous season – with analysts claiming that he has been carried by his big, star-studded team. He was even benched for many times in his games for Team USA’s campaign for a gold medal in the Paris Olympics, and that says a lot about how the critics have been really bold about making claims against him.
So what’s the best way to answer all of that? Jayson Tatum is inefficient? He scored 37 points on 14-18 shooting in his season debut, including 8-11 from three. Tatum is a poor playmaker? He had 10 assists in that opening game against the New York Knicks. In 40 days, Tatum has dropped nine games with at least 30+ points, and it cannot be denied that he is making a statement this season.
As of the time of writing, Jayson Tatum is averaging 29.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals. That is a bigger campaign than what he has shown in his previous years with Boston, with only the 2022-23 season being a bigger campaign in terms of points. At this point, it cannot be argued that the Celtics star is showing bigger strides in his game now more than ever, and that should be enough to even set him as a top pick to win the MVP award by the end of the season.
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What are the Odds for Tatum’s MVP Chances?
Right now, Tatum has been a really elite performer for the Celtics – and he’s not showing any signs of slowing down. If you are not impressed, Tatum has had only one game where he scored below 20+ points in the season, showing you how consistent he has been in his performances night in and night out, and this is why he’s making some convincing noise for the MVP as well.
2024-25 NBA MVP Odds (Updated as of December 5, 2024)
| Rank | Name/Team | Best Odds to Win |
| 1 | Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets | +175 |
| 2 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder | +300 |
| 3 | Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics | +500 |
| 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks | +650 |
| 5 | Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks | +1000 |
As of the time of writing, Tatum is one of the top-five favorites to win the MVP award this season so far. While the recent NBA KIA MVP Ladder has always talked about how Anthony Davis is making a strong case for himself, he’s sixth on this list. So what does that mean for Tatum’s chances? It just means that the Celtics forward may well be having a bigger chance for his case for the MVP than the odds tell us at this point in time.
Will Jayson Tatum Win the MVP?
A two-time gold medallist, five-time All-Star, an All-Star MVP, and now NBA Champion – Jayson Tatum’s cabinet is starting to get crowded, and what better way is there to keep his elite performances on the big stage than to add more to his big achievements now more than ever? So far, Tatum has been convincing us with elite performances on the big stage, and that says a lot about his prominence as a top-tier player for the Celtics and a prime MVP candidate at this point.
Here are the key factors that will play a huge role in helping Tatum make a convincing case for the MVP this season:
Boston Continues to be a Contender
MVPs lead their teams to success – that has been a solid case for the likes of Nikola Jokic winning his third MVP last season after finishing second in the Western Conference last season with a promising record. The same can be said for Tatum – who dropped 33 points to help beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and stop their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season at 15 games. Boston may not be at the top of the Eastern Conference just yet, but it cannot be denied that they have managed to stay consistent to the point that they are still a force in the Eastern Conference, which says a lot about how Tatum’s value has skyrocketed to a bigger level this season.
Tatum is Posting Bigger Numbers
Speaking of value, Jayson Tatum’s stat lines have been really impressive, with continuous and consistent production on the offensive end being his strong suit. So far, this has allowed Boston to open up its season with a promising look on varying rotations that give them bigger options in having no need to substitute in their top stars right away. This means that Boston is getting a reprieve because of his increased presence on the offensive end, and that just proves more about how he is getting bigger praise for his MVP run so far.
Outperforming Jaylen Brown
In case you don’t remember, Tatum didn’t get to win either of the Eastern Conference Finals MVP or the Finals MVP – his co-star Jaylen Brown did. This is where the majority of the “carried” talks come from, and this certainly makes for a massive discussion as to how Tatum’s case for the MVP this season will weigh on how well he outperforms his co-star as well. As of the time of writing, Brown is currently averaging 24.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in the season, and Tatum is clearly outperforming him well enough this season so far, which says a lot about how the Celtics forward is thriving his way to the top now more than ever.
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Is this Season Tatum’s MVP Year?
So, can Jayson Tatum win the MVP? Absolutely. He has the talent, the team, and the potential to claim the league’s top individual honor. If he continues to improve as a player, keeps his team competitive, and has a standout season, Tatum could certainly find himself in the MVP conversation at the end of the year.
In the ever-competitive landscape of the NBA, nothing is guaranteed. But with his all-around game, leadership, and potential for a historic season, Jayson Tatum is undoubtedly a player to watch. Could this be the year he finally captures the MVP award? Only time will tell, but the pieces are certainly in place for him to do so.
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