Stephen A. Smith Believes Jayson Tatum is Leading Contender for MVP

Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season.

The NBA regular season is more than halfway complete. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes Jayson Tatum is leading the MVP race.

This season, Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over 35.8 minutes per game. The St. Louis native will be starting in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

On ESPN's First Take, Smith gave his reasoning for choosing Tatum as the MVP frontrunner.

.@stephenasmith has Jayson Tatum LEADING the MVP race 👀 pic.twitter.com/utdiCDcqyH

— First Take (@FirstTake) February 15, 2024

“I got Jayson Tatum as the leading candidate for league MVP, now that Joel Embiid is out. I’m sorry, does winning matter? Does being the best player on the best team matter? I’d say it does.”

At 43-12, the Boston Celtics hold the best record in the NBA. Smith thinks team success should be factored into the MVP race.

“I’m looking at a brother that was averaging 30 (points) last year in the NBA. He’s now averaging 27. I got numbers here. Tatum is one of four NBA players averaging 27 and 8 (rebounds), along with Embiid, Luka, and Giannis. We know that Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Dallas ain’t what Boston is. They’ve got the best record in basketball. They got a six-game cushion in the Eastern Conference.”

Further Reading

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Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment

Jaylen Brown on Altercation with Duncan Robinson: 'I Bet You He Won't Do It Again'

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade

Celtics Swing Savvy Deal with 76ers for Jaden Springer

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'