The Boston Celtics and the blockbuster have had a fantastic start to the 2023–24 NBA season. Tatum was able to lead Boston to a thrilling victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Wednesday night, despite missing key players Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. This victory improved the Celtics’ 2023–24 record to a stellar 9–3.
In fact, so impressive has been Tatum’s performance thus far this season that he is even generating some early season MVP buzz, including from ESPN NBA analyst Jay Williams.
“Right now, I think it’s between Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant,” said Williams on ESPN’s Get Up. “…Tatum’s game has gone to a different level. He’s doing a lot more pick and rolls, he’s splitting picks and rolls. His game is just coming around… Boston’s the best team in the league right now.”
Noticeably absent from Jay Williams’ list was the reigning Finals MVP and whom many would consider to be the best player in the sport, Nikola Jokic, but the point still remains: Jayson Tatum is having a great season thus far. Tatum’s stats have barely taken a dent despite the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in the offseason, and the growth and maturity in his game has been more than evident so far on the young season.
Nobody doubted the Celtics’ ability to win a lot of games during the regular season or that Tatum would produce impressive numbers; nevertheless, Tatum and his teammates will need to repeat this level of performance in the postseason if they want to advance.
