Moving forward with our ongoing player rankings, we shift our focus to Jayson Tatum, a gifted young player with elite production and impact. Tatum is an elite two-way player with incredible shot-creation and scoring abilities. At 25, Tatum has an incredible amount of playoff experience and is on the verge of winning his first title.
Top 25 NBA players 2023-24: No. 6 Jayson Tatum
An All-Around Star Wing
Since entering the league in 2017, Tatum has been a prolific three-level scorer and shot creator. However, in recent years, Tatum has blossomed into an all-around high-impact player and a true star. This transformation has included Tatum developing as a defender, rebounder, and playmaker. All while becoming more effective as a scorer and offensive threat. Tatum’s improved skill set makes him more well-rounded and gives him more avenues to positively impact the game on an off-scoring night. Furthermore, Tatum’s high-level defense makes him the best two-way wing in the league.
Season Recap
Last season, Tatum had the best year of his career. Tatum’s scoring exploded to 30 points per game, becoming the first Celtic ever to average 30 points in a season. He led the Celtics to 57 wins and the 2-seed in the process. As a result, Tatum finished 4th in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA First Team. The Celtics stacked roster around Tatum—including a plethora of shooters, defenders, and co-star Jaylen Brown—gave them championship expectations heading into the playoffs. The Celtics won the first two series in dramatic fashion, beating the Hawks in six games and the 76ers in seven games.
The Celtics came back from down 3-2 to the 76ers, ultimately defeating them in a blowout game seven win. Through the majority of the series, Tatum struggled to score but had a positive all-around impact. However, in game seven, Tatum broke out of his scoring slump and erupted for a 51-point masterclass. Breaking the game seven scoring record in the process.
Tatum’s scoring would pick back up against Miami. However, the Celtics offense collapsed against Miami’s zone. This caused the Celtics to go down 0-3 before they won three straight games forcing a game. During this stretch, Tatum was extremely productive, including a 33-point outburst in game 5. However, Tatum would go down with an injury early in game seven. While he managed to play, Tatum was far less effective on his injured ankle. The Celtics supporting cast failed to pick up the load, ultimately losing in a 103-84 blowout. Poor shot selection and turnovers were central to Boston’s shortcomings against the Heat.
Season Outlook: Are the Celtics Favorites?
During the off-season, Boston improved their already stellar roster by adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. These additions not only boost the Celtics title chances but will make life much easier for Tatum. For years, the Celtics have been on the brink of an 18th championship. This roster gives them the best chance to win that elusive title. As Tatum enters his true prime at 25, this might be the perfect recipe for Boston’s success.
Similarly, if the Celtics are dominant in the regular season and Tatum continues his incredible production, he could be a contender in the MVP race. For the past two seasons, Tatum has had great production on one of the league’s best teams but has never had a true MVP case. With the Celtics talent upgrades and possibly more improvement from Tatum, he is poised to have a true MVP-level season. Additionally, the Celtics’ off-season acquisitions arguably make them title favorites. This would cause Tatum to rise in the rankings once again.
The Last Word
Tatum’s elite resume, scoring ability, and production earn him a spot in the top 10. While Tatum’s two-way abilities and all-around impact have propelled him nearly into the top five, winning a title would cause Tatum to further shoot up in the rankings. Ultimately, Tatum is poised to be a top-five level player for the foreseeable future.
