On Thursday night, the Boston Celtics visited the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls were in the game by the end of the first half, but the Boston Celtics took a big lead in the third quarter and are currently the best team in the NBA. The Celtics ultimately prevailed 129–112, maintaining their lead in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls were in the game primarily because of Nikola Vucevic, who was dominating the Celtics in the second quarter. Regretfully, Boston was able to shut him down for the whole of the second half after making the appropriate changes.
Vucevic had some really kind words to say about the league-leading Celtics following the game. (With thanks to Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe)
Now that the All-Star break has over, the Boston Celtics are prepared to continue their quest to raise Banner 18.
Jayson Tatum is the player who can most assist the squad in achieving that objective. The 25-year-old wing has been dominant this season and is building a strong resume in an effort to contend for his first NBA MVP title.
Before Boston’s Wednesday night tipoff versus the Chicago Bulls, head coach of the Boston Celtics Joe Mazzulla wasn’t holding back when he called Tatum the league’s MVP, calling the five-time All-Star the whole package.
“Yes,” was Mazzulla’s response when inquired about Tatum’s role in the MVP discussion. “I think defining what ‘most valuable’ means — it’s not just about scoring — it’s the ability to have sustainable success, to make the people around you better, and the ability to be great.”
Tatum’s contributions to the game extend beyond his 27.1 points on a career-high 47.5 percent shooting percentage. The 2017 No. 3 pick has produced hustle play after hustle play all year long, averaging 8.6 rebounds per game, which is only 0.2 rebounds shy of a career high. He has also averaged a steal per game. Along with giving his teammates more opportunities, he is averaging a career-high 4.8 assists per game.
In response to Mazzulla’s assertion that “sustainable success” might define “most valuable,” Tatum has outperformed all other MVP contenders in this regard, having missed just three games this year. A major factor in Boston’s success—which included an NBA-best 43-12 record—has been his availability.
Mazzulla continued, “He’s done it for a long time,” regarding Tatum’s exceptional skill. He’s underappreciated in that discussion, in my opinion, and I think he’s doing a fantastic job of redefining what it means to be the best player because he approaches it differently each night. To truly appreciate how he affects both himself and his teammates, you have to watch the games. [More in the MVP conversation] is where he should be.
Tatum hasn’t been lacking confidence lately. When asked who the best player in the league was, the Duke product named himself in a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews. A year before, he had said Giannis Antetokounmpo. What altered? Adversity and obstacles encountered.
Tatum stated, “I’m very confident because I know how hard I work, I know how much I put into this game,” when asked why he thinks he is the greatest. “I know how badly I want to be one of the best, how badly I want to win.”
Before traveling to New York on Saturday, Tatum and the Celtics will play the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday night in an attempt to continue their incredible season.