In a viral appearance on “The Tonight Show,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum made his pick for next season’s NBA MVP. Hilariously, Tatum nominated himself, much to the amusement of Jimmy Kimmel.
Jimmy Fallon: “Who do you predict will be the NBA’s next MVP?”
Jayson Tatum: “Can I say myself?”
Jayson Tatum has never lacked confidence. From his early rise at Duke, he has always believed in his standing as one of the world’s best basketball players. This summer, however, Tatum has even more reason than most to speak without humility.
Last season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 47.1% shooting, leading the Celtics to the league’s best record and a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference. He capped it off with a dominant playoff run, guiding Boston to their first NBA championship since 2008.
Adding to his accolades, Tatum represented Team USA this summer, helping secure a gold medal despite limited playing time. He made a notable impact and is a strong candidate to be invited to the next Olympic tournament in Los Angeles in 2028.
As the cover athlete for NBA 2K and the recipient of a five-year, $315 million contract extension, Tatum has plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about his future. His confidence in maintaining his current level of excellence is well-earned.
At 26, Tatum is entering his prime, and the upcoming seasons could feature his best performances yet. As a 5x All-Star, 4x All-NBA player, and reigning NBA champion, he’s firmly in the conversation as one of the league’s elites and a perennial MVP contender, having finished 6th in last season’s voting.
The Celtics also remain in a strong position to defend their title. With a largely unchanged roster featuring Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick White, Boston boasts one of the deepest rotations in the league. Their offense is expected to continue as one of the best, and if their defense improves, they could surpass last season’s success.
For Tatum to capture the MVP, his team will need to reach a similar level of dominance. Yet even that might not be enough with competition from stars like Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Tatum will need to elevate his play to give voters a compelling reason to choose him.
Still, Tatum remains confident that he can rise above the competition and deliver his best season yet. Now, it’s up to him to prove it, or face the inevitable backlash from critics.
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