Jayson Tatum ‘most disrespected famous person’ in NBA

Celtics

“I feel it is turning him right into a monster, and finally, he is gonna get that MVP. So thanks, all people.”

Jayson Tatum had arguably one of the best season of his profession in 2024-25. 

The 27-year-old ahead joined Larry Chicken as simply the second participant in Celtics franchise historical past to guide the group in complete factors, rebounds, assists, and steals in a single season a number of occasions — with Tatum averaging 26.8 factors, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists per sport in his eighth NBA marketing campaign.

However even with Tatum as soon as once more stuffing the stat sheet — and main the Celtics to a different dominant common season — the All-NBA common was not named a finalist for the NBA MVP Award this 12 months. 

The NBA introduced its finalists for a number of regular-season awards on Sunday, with Oklahoma Metropolis guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokic, and Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo tabbed because the trio within the operating for MVP.

Each Gilgeous-Alexander (32.7 factors per sport) and Jokic (29.6 factors, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists per sport) are each thought of the frontrunners for the accolade — whereas Antetokounmpo is predicted to complete third in that pecking order.

Jokic’s triple-double stat line and Gilgeous-Alexander’s position in main a 68-win Thunder group each make compelling circumstances for MVP honors. 

However talking on NBC Sports activities Boston’s postgame protection of the Celtics’ Recreation 1 win over Orlando, former Celtics guard and 2008 champion Eddie Home took umbrage with Tatum as soon as once more getting snubbed as an MVP finalist. 

“Most disrespected famous person within the league,” Home mentioned of Tatum. “Most disrespected All-NBA First-Workforce participant within the league. Was it three straight years he’s been All-NBA? He’s disrespected.

“And that’s OK, as a result of generally that’s gas for the hearth and for the higher good of what the Boston Celtics are doing. I feel it’s turning him right into a monster, and finally, he’s gonna get that MVP. So thanks, all people.”

Whereas Antetokounmpo’s personal stat line (30.4 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists per sport) on an uneven Bucks group was spectacular, NBC Sports activities Boston’s Chris Forsberg argued that Tatum’s influence was simply as evident on a Celtics group that remained a powerhouse regardless of coping with a number of accidents throughout the depth chart.

“I believed by the tip of the season, the those that vote for these awards would acknowledge that if we sit right here and preserve saying, ‘We’re gonna vote for SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) as a result of (of) the group’s success,’ so we’re not rewarding Tatum for the success of the Celtics? So I believed they’d acknowledge that and put him forward of Giannis,” Forsberg mentioned.

“Giannis had a terrific season. I get the numbers are in all probability fairly glitzy and he needed to carry a heavier load with out Damian Lillard on the market. And but, you’ll be able to’t inform me that Jayson Tatum doesn’t extra positively influence profitable this season for a 60-win group.

“I feel it’s simply ridiculous that he’s not within the prime three. If he wants any motivation, he finds it at each flip as a result of individuals simply don’t give him the respect he deserves.”

Whereas Tatum has but to obtain the highest particular person accolade within the NBA, the Celtics ahead will look to safe an much more coveted achievement within the coming months — profitable back-to-back championships with Boston.

“I mentioned it loads: We’re not defending the championship,” Tatum mentioned final week forward of Recreation 1 towards Orlando. “We received final 12 months. Can’t no one take it from us. However final 12 months is final season. That’s out the window. We’re not fearful about something apart from the Magic proper now. We’re not wanting previous (to) second, third, fourth spherical.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.