Who is the best player in the NBA according to Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum?
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is one of the most talented players in the NBA today, and he talks about whom he thinks sits at the top of the league.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has accomplished a lot in his first few years in the league, and has proven himself to be one of its best players today.
He recently sat down for an interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews along with other young All-Stars Luka Doncic, Ja Morant, and Donovan Mitchell, and the journalist posed the question, “Who’s the best player in the game right now?”
Tatum’s greatest rival
In response, Tatum named his biggest rival in the Eastern Conference at the moment. “If I had to pick, I think I might say Giannis [Antetokounmpo]. How he impacts both sides, scoring, rebounding, how hard he plays,” he said.
“We all have off-nights, but I feel like when he has an off-night, it’s still 25 and 15 instead of 40 and 20, and he’s won, he’s won a championship.”
Mitchell agreed with Tatum, stating, “I’d say Giannis too, for sure.”
Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell pick Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best player in the NBA 👀
— ESPN (@espn) February 23, 2023
(via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/urJA9QnsgE
The Greek Freak’s numbers speak for themselves: this season, he has been putting up an average of 31.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. He has also been shooting almost 54% from the field.
"Giannis is strategic with everything. He thinks he's a philosopher." pic.twitter.com/HJkBg3SG3O
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 20, 2023
Tatum has also been tallying impressive numbers, averaging 30.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
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Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have each scored 30 points in the same game 9 times this season, including tonight's win over the Pacers.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 24, 2023
Over the last 30 years, the only duo to record more such games in a season is Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal (10 in 2000-01, 12 in 2002-03). pic.twitter.com/NIFY7pbXXX
Giannis’ edge
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However, the Milwaukee Bucks star has a couple of advantages over Tatum- an NBA championship in 2021, and being named Most Valuable Player, twice, at that.
The rivalry between their two teams is going neck-and-neck this season. The Celtics are the top spot with a 43-17 record, with the Bucks breathing down their necks at 41-17.