When Jayson Tatum goes up towards fellow NBA superstars, he’s not solely placing up gaudy numbers however as a rule, the Celtics are successful – and that’s one of many greatest indicators of why he’s the MVP frontrunner because the season approaches its halfway level.
Tatum’s 41-point efficiency on Christmas Day to beat Giannis Antetekounmpo and the Bucks was his newest masterpiece towards one other MVP candidate that has made his candidacy for the award even stronger.
When ESPN launched its first MVP straw ballot of the season earlier this month – as media members throughout the league submitted their early-season ballots – Tatum got here in on high. The Celtics star has crushed seven of the 9 gamers who make up the remainder of the Top 10 in head-to-head matchups this season – Antetekounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Ja Morant, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Joel Embiid. Tatum and the Celtics are 7-1 towards the Top 10 MVP candidates, with the lone loss coming to Steph Curry’s Warriors. Tatum is averaging 32.3 factors and eight.3 rebounds per sport in these matchups.
“Those matchups are fun,” Tatum mentioned. “You get to play against the other best players, and it just raises your level of play. The competition is exciting, but that’s the games that you live for. The moments, the matchups. If you can’t get up for those games, then you’re probably in the wrong profession.”
Not surprisingly, Tatum’s teammates don’t have any drawback pushing their chief’s candidacy. Malcolm Brogdon has mentioned Tatum is the frontrunner. Grant Williams thinks Tatum has clearly separated himself from the pack.
“It would be different if he was getting those numbers and we were losing,” Williams mentioned. “To get these numbers and likewise win the sport, it simply reveals the extent of separation that he has with a few of these guys and stars. …
“JT’s done a great job of making sure everybody’s involved. (Marcus) Smart has the ball in his hands a lot of the game, J.B. (Jaylen Brown) has the ball in his hands a portion of the game. He does a great job of facilitating and also scoring for himself and he’s very efficient at what he does. It’s special to see what he’s doing right now. The way he’s shooting the ball, the way he’s putting pressure on the rim, he’s commanding double teams and making the right read. He’s done a phenomenal job over the course of the season.”
Tatum’s biggest strengths are offensively, however he’s come into his personal on protection, too, which can be an neglected a part of his candidacy. He’s all the time had All-Defense potential due to his measurement and body, and Williams thinks he must be thought-about.
“J.T.’s drawing the No. 1 matchup every single night as well as score 40 points and doing everything else and playmake for everybody else,” Williams mentioned. “He’s a particular participant and the longer term face of this league. …
“He’s a first-team All-Defensive candidate, too,” Williams added. “As much as he is in (the) MVP (race), he’s also part of the group that’s first-team All-Defense. He’s done a phenomenal job of taking ownership of those matchups, even when he’s not guarding No. 1 guys. … He’s been doing it all since the day the season started. You can tell he’s playing with a vengeance in mind.”
Silas touched by tribute
It’s all the time particular for Rockets head coach Stephen Silas to return to Boston however Tuesday evening was extra significant after his dad, former Celtics participant Paul Silas, died earlier this month. The Celtics had been giving out inexperienced pins with “Silas” written on them in black lettering to honor Paul, who received two titles with the Celtics in 1974 and 1976.
“It means a lot,” Silas mentioned. “It really does mean a lot. He considered himself a Celtic for sure, he was only here for four years. But he won two championships. And growing up, that’s what he was: He was a Celtic. For them to do that, it means a ton to just me and my family and my friends. It’s really just a classy, classy thing to do.”
Silas mentioned that each time he comes again to Boston, he thinks in regards to the influence his dad made on the group. He’s taken many classes from his dad, who spent greater than 40 years within the NBA as a participant and coach, and he and his household have been touched by the reception they’ve gotten across the league over the previous couple of weeks.
After Silas known as a timeout with 5:27 left within the first quarter, the Celtics confirmed a montage of his father’s highlights with the Celtics on the video board at TD Garden.
“I was blessed to be my father’s son, so I can empathize and see how he handled players and do my best to my Paul Silas impression at times,” Silas mentioned. “But he was just such a good, good man. The amazing thing is we’re like staggered as a family as far as the reception we’ve gotten and the tributes that have happened and the pin and all the moments of silence. We always thought he was a great man, and for everybody to see it the same way we see it is really, really just a great thing. … I’m so proud to be his son.”
Mazzulla dominated out
Celtics interim head coach Joe Mazzulla was dominated out of Tuesday’s sport moments earlier than opening tip attributable to eye irritation. Mazzulla performed his pregame press convention however he was squinting and regarded uncomfortable. Assistant coach Damon Stoudamire took over because the appearing head coach. …
Payton Pritchard additionally missed Tuesday’s sport attributable to a proper thigh contusion. Robert Williams was listed as questionable attributable to a non-COVID sickness, however was cleared to play.
Source: www.bostonherald.com
