OP’s take — It’s tough to win the MVP on a team with so much talent, but perhaps breaking the Celtics’ record for most wins in a season is the motivation for Tatum (68 wins — 1972-73’).
OC74859
MVP reflects counting stats, especially scoring. His effectiveness for the team revolves around maximizing his teammates’ effectiveness. He is willing to score 44 points or 14 points, so long as the Celtics chances to win are as high as possible.
But going on a MVP kick would likely mean shooting even when others have a better shot, or looking to make spectacular plays rather than the right ones. That’s exactly the type of thing that would undermine the Celtics, if Tatum and Brown establish a requirement that they have to get theirs.
Rashloose
I hope so. Multiple seasons of large time periods of inefficient shooting and slow starts to shooting is what holds him back from the conversation
hunterprime66
I disagree, and honestly, it’s kind of insulting to JT isn’t it?
If you’re saying that not getting Olympic minutes is the motivation he needs to win MVP, then the logical train of thought there was he wasn’t putting in enough effort before to win MVP. And watching JT play, one thing that is clear is that the effort is always there.
Plus I care much more about championships over individual awards. I already think a bunch of the media just says things to fill space and aren’t that good analysts. Like, looking at the list of voters, I already don’t care about what 75% of them think. Why would that change when it comes to MVP?
horseshoeoverlook
Sorry, but I doubt this. But good for him if he does.
physicsOG
I just hope it’s not at the cost of the #1 seed and a title.
BringBackFatMac
Being on such an amazing team, JT simply isn’t going to get the stats required for MVP unfortunately
CarBallAlex
I don’t know if it will happen, just because the Celtics are expected to be good, and if they win say 58-60 games when they won 64 last year, how would the voters look at that?
It feels like it’s set up for a Jokic carry job (but voter fatigue so maybe not him), Giannis resurgence, SGA/Luka breakthrough with better teams around them while they get the majority of the credit. Plus Embiid’s monster numbers gives him a good shot to win another, he was on pace last year.
But if Tatum did win it? Oh man r/nba would explode with the “weakest MVP in history” shit and it would be so funny to watch.
BaybayYoda
Tatum doesn’t score enough to ever win MVP. Him not being a ball hog and scoring more is a big part of the reason why most NBA fans don’t appreciate him or put him in the same group as the other best players in the NBA. It’s not fair but that’s how it is. Scoring equals greatness to the casual fan.
9 Comments
OP’s take — It’s tough to win the MVP on a team with so much talent, but perhaps breaking the Celtics’ record for most wins in a season is the motivation for Tatum (68 wins — 1972-73’).
MVP reflects counting stats, especially scoring. His effectiveness for the team revolves around maximizing his teammates’ effectiveness. He is willing to score 44 points or 14 points, so long as the Celtics chances to win are as high as possible.
But going on a MVP kick would likely mean shooting even when others have a better shot, or looking to make spectacular plays rather than the right ones. That’s exactly the type of thing that would undermine the Celtics, if Tatum and Brown establish a requirement that they have to get theirs.
I hope so. Multiple seasons of large time periods of inefficient shooting and slow starts to shooting is what holds him back from the conversation
I disagree, and honestly, it’s kind of insulting to JT isn’t it?
If you’re saying that not getting Olympic minutes is the motivation he needs to win MVP, then the logical train of thought there was he wasn’t putting in enough effort before to win MVP. And watching JT play, one thing that is clear is that the effort is always there.
Plus I care much more about championships over individual awards. I already think a bunch of the media just says things to fill space and aren’t that good analysts. Like, looking at the list of voters, I already don’t care about what 75% of them think. Why would that change when it comes to MVP?
Sorry, but I doubt this. But good for him if he does.
I just hope it’s not at the cost of the #1 seed and a title.
Being on such an amazing team, JT simply isn’t going to get the stats required for MVP unfortunately
I don’t know if it will happen, just because the Celtics are expected to be good, and if they win say 58-60 games when they won 64 last year, how would the voters look at that?
It feels like it’s set up for a Jokic carry job (but voter fatigue so maybe not him), Giannis resurgence, SGA/Luka breakthrough with better teams around them while they get the majority of the credit. Plus Embiid’s monster numbers gives him a good shot to win another, he was on pace last year.
But if Tatum did win it? Oh man r/nba would explode with the “weakest MVP in history” shit and it would be so funny to watch.
Tatum doesn’t score enough to ever win MVP. Him not being a ball hog and scoring more is a big part of the reason why most NBA fans don’t appreciate him or put him in the same group as the other best players in the NBA. It’s not fair but that’s how it is. Scoring equals greatness to the casual fan.