After two games, Jayson Tatum is your MVP frontrunner

Jayson Tatum has had a great start to his 2024-25 season. It looks like all the disrespect he has received over the offseason has fueled him to take over the NBA.

Through two games, Tatum has amassed 62 points, 16 assists, 15 rebounds, and is shooting 61% from the field and 50% from three. That stat line as a forward has only happened one other time in NBA history and that was by Larry Bird in the 1987 season. Not only is Tatum having a historic start to the season, he hasn’t played a second in the 4th quarter.

The Celtics as a whole have been on fire, blowing out the Knicks 132-109 on Opening Night and beating the Wizards 122-102. Tatum has sat in the 4th quarter in both of these games so that begs the question: can he win MVP if his team is so good he never plays in the 4th quarter?

We’ll have to see if that trend continues but even though its only been two games, Jayson Tatum’s name has appeared in the MVP conversation and it wouldn’t surprise me if this is the year he actually wins it.

Tatum has been getting disrespected in the MVP conversation for a long time now. Over the last few years, you would hear the narrative that “Jayson Tatum couldn’t win MVP because he hasn’t won a championship.” Even though that has never been the case for any other superstar, Tatum was held to this standard and what happened last season? He won a championship.

After winning the championship, people continued to disrespect him because he didn’t win Finals MVP even though he led the Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists, being the 6th player in NBA history to do so. He went to the Olympics, was benched by Steve Kerr, and people continued to disrespect him all summer long.

When it comes down to it, Tatum has heard the criticism about his game all summer long and made a concerted effort to elevate his game. We all know Jayson Tatum has changed his jump shot but not only has his mechanics changed, his confidence in that shot has never been higher.

One of my favorite examples of this came from Thursday’s game against the Wizards where Tatum would toy with the second overall pick Alex Sarr, crossing him up and hitting a step back three in his face.

Right now it feels like Tatum’s confidence in his shot is at all time high and that is going to be scary for the rest of the NBA. If Tatum’s shot stays consistent, he will be a legitimate three-level scorer capable of bullying you in the paint, hitting the mid range shot over you, and lighting you up from beyond the arc.

Tatum was asked about how important it was to win MVP for him after the Washington game and he gave a great answer saying, “championship is the most important, but being the best version of yourself along the way is important.”

This makes me think not only is Tatum going for another championship, but the MVP award as well.

Is this an overreaction two games into the season? Maybe, but Jayson Tatum should be favorite to win MVP this season and he is going to put the entire league on notice.