Jayson Tatum Believes He’s the Best Player in the NBA, Fueled by Impressive Performance and Celtics’ Success. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum confidently declared himself as the best player in the league. While many have recognized Nikola Jokic as the top player since the Denver Nuggets’ championship win and Jokic’s Finals MVP title, Tatum’s self-assuredness reflects the mindset necessary for greatness.

As a five-time All-Star, Tatum’s statistics this season speak for themselves. He is currently averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. His shooting percentages are also impressive, with 47.5% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc, and 82.4% from the free-throw line. Furthermore, the Celtics hold the best record in the NBA at 43-12.

Tatum ranks fifth in the league in total points and ninth in points per game. If the Celtics maintain their top record, Tatum has a legitimate chance to secure his first MVP Award this season. Since being drafted by Boston as the third overall pick in 2017 from Duke University, Tatum has already made five All-Star appearances and three All-NBA teams.

Despite falling short in the 2022 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, Tatum’s leadership guided the Celtics to the championship series. With his career averages of 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, Tatum’s impressive performance puts him on a trajectory toward joining the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fаme.

As the 2024 playoffs approach, it will be intriguing to see how far Tatum and the Celtics can go. In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, they suffered a seven-game defeat against the Miami Heat. With Tatum’s confidence and the team’s determination, they aim to overcome that hurdle and make a deep postseason run.