8. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have quietly been one of the best teams in the entire NBA. After a slow start to the season, the Celtics really turned things around and have quietly been the most consistent team in the entire NBA since the turn of the calendar year.
Despite having the sixth-best record in the league, Boston leads the entire NBA in net rating. Boston is the best defensive team in the league and leading the way on the offensive end is Jayson Tatum, who is continuing his leap into superstardom.
Tatum has been fantastic for the Celtics this season and if it were not for a wonky past few years because of a global pandemic he may have already hit that MVP ceiling. Let’s not forget that before the pandemic Tatum was really starting to turn a corner, starting with the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
Things slowed down a bit (although he still played great) and they are now picking up again. Tatum is likely going to receive some fourth and fifth-place MVP votes this season and he is deserving as he is the go-to scorer on one of the best teams in the NBA.
Tatum notably grew up as a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and LA fans can only dream that he eventually leaves the Celtics to finally don the purple and gold. In a few years’ time, he could easily be a top-three player on this list. He just barely turned 24, after all.