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Celtics could benefit from Jayson Tatum's MVP dream
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. David Butler II-Imagn Images

Celtics could benefit from Jayson Tatum's MVP dream

By Adam Taylor  |  Last updated 10/7/24

Jayson Tatum's desire to be crowned as the NBA MVP has been well-documented throughout his career. The Boston Celtics star is among a handful of players capable of challenging for the individual honor year in and year out. However, his presence on arguably the deepest roster in the league will likely cost him a chance at being a genuine front-runner in the MVP conversation next season.

According to Tatum, who was speaking via a postgame news conference following the Celtics' 130-104 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, his pursuit of an MVP trophy would prove that both the Celtics and himself are having a dominant year.

"Everybody should have individual goals and we're all mature enough and know what it's like to have team success," Tatum said. "That nothing gets in the way of what we're trying to accomplish and be as special and great as we were last year and even better this year...Not chasing MVP, in spite of us, costing us games or anything like that, but if I'm in that conversation, that means we're one of the best teams, that means I'm playing the right way and everybody on the team is having success, and we're going in the right path."

Tatum's comments are fair. The Celtics' best chance of securing back-to-back NBA championships is with their best players producing at an elite level. If Tatum is in the conversation for league MVP, it means he's having a dominant year and is one of the best performers in the league. 

Boston needs its stars to produce if it's going to build on the success of last season. Unfortunately, not everybody sees things that way. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins recently accused Tatum of being selfish for wanting to pursue his personal goal while also leading the franchise toward its 19th championship. 

"It's simple. Selfish. Selfish. He's selfish," Perkins said on a recent episode of ESPN's "NBA Today." "I'm not being negative right now, but seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. I have no problem with a player being somewhat selfish and wanting to accomplish things on an individual basis."

Tatum is one of the most unselfish players in the league. He sacrificed his scoring numbers last season so that his teammates could thrive. Still, if being a little more selfish is what it takes to ensure Boston remains at the top of the NBA and that his name is spoken of in the same breath as Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, then it's an adjustment Tatum must make. 

Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics are on the cusp of a dynasty. How Tatum approaches the new season will have a significant impact on what comes next for the franchise. Regardless of whether he becomes the 2025 or 2026 MVP, he is the Celtics' X factor. Therefore, his goal of being the best player in the world directly correlates to the Celtics' pursuit of another championship banner in TD Garden. 

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