{"id":99478,"date":"2024-10-05T11:32:38","date_gmt":"2024-10-05T15:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=99478"},"modified":"2026-03-11T00:37:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T04:37:26","slug":"top-25-nba-players-2024-25-no-6-jayson-tatum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/05\/top-25-nba-players-2024-25-no-6-jayson-tatum\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 6 \u2013 Jayson Tatum"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Approaching the top five of our top 25 list, we arrive at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/tatumja01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jayson Tatum.<\/a>\u00a0The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/07\/boston-celtics-win-total-odds-and-betting-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Boston Celtics<\/a> superstar star wing combines prolific scoring with an impressive all-around skill set. Tatum is fresh off an <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/06\/18\/4-reasons-why-the-celtics-won-the-nba-championship\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">NBA Championship<\/a> and is ready to compete for another this season. Let&#8217;s examine Tatum&#8217;s game and his spot on this list.<\/p>\n<h2>Top 25 NBA Players 2024-25: No. 6 \u2013 Jayson Tatum<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>A Well-Rounded Superstar<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once known as solely an elite three-level scorer in recent years, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/22\/jayson-tatum-reveals-when-he-knew-boston-celtics-would-win-title\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Tatum<\/a> has become one of the most well-rounded stars. He is a high-quality playmaker, rebounder, and defender, all while remaining an elite scoring threat. As a playmaker Tatum facilities much of the Celtics&#8217; offense and has particularly developed a drive-and-kick game. Tatum\u2019s size and strength allow him to play a versatile defensive role. This all-around skill set allows Tatum to impact the game even if he isn\u2019t scoring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Jayson Tatum&#039;s BEST Moments of the 2024 NBA Playoffs!\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UIyB1XMVeDc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Season Recap\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After years of deep playoff runs in Tatum\u2019s seventh season he and the Celtics broke through winning the NBA Championship. Seeing Tatum alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownja02.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Brown<\/a> deliver a championship to Boston after years of being so close was incredibly exciting. Tatum\u2019s well-rounded impact was on full display in the playoffs. Notably, in the playoffs, Tatum led the team in points (25), rebounds (9.7), and assists (6.3) becoming just the sixth player in history to accomplish this while winning the title. In doing so he joined all-time greats <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/birdla01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Larry Bird<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/olajuha01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hakeem Olajuwon<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duncati01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tim Duncan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jokicni01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikola Jokic<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Jayson Tatum is the 6th player in NBA history to lead his team in playoff points, rebounds, and assists while winning the title:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfc0 Jayson Tatum (2024)<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Nikola Jokic (2023)<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 LeBron James (2012, 2013, 2016)<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Tim Duncan (2003)<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Hakeem Olajuwon (1994)<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Larry Bird (1984) <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/x3PCobej4G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/x3PCobej4G<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DraftKings (@DraftKings) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DraftKings\/status\/1802899808975294670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While many people criticized Tatum&#8217;s scoring efficiency (42.7 percent from the field, 28.3 percent from three) his all-around play was undeniably a crucial part of Boston\u2019s success. Tatum initiated much of the Celtics\u2019 offense as a point forward while receiving incredibly difficult defense coverage. Defensively he would\u00a0often guard opposing big men. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimately, he did whatever it took to win and contributed in a variety of ways. Impressively, Tatum surpassed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bryanko01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-05_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kobe Bryant<\/a> as the top <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statmuse.com\/nba\/ask\/most-playoff-points-by-a-player-before-age-27\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">playoff scorer<\/a> before age 27. This feat is a testament to Tatum&#8217;s consistent playoff play, and scoring abilities. Tatum also had some memorable performances including 31 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5FTi-c1t0BM\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Game 5<\/a> to clinch the title and 36 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=23QUIVShonM\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Game 3<\/a> of the Conference Finals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the regular season, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/02\/28\/is-jayson-tatum-a-mvp-candidate\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Tatum<\/a> was the primary engine for a 64-win Celtics squad. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists on 47.1\/37.6\/83.3 shooting splits. Tatum&#8217;s 4.2 defensive win shares ranked ninth in the league, his 6.4 offensive win shares ranked 12th in the league and his 10.4 overall <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/leagues\/NBA_2024_advanced.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">win shares<\/a> ranked 10th. Notably, Tatum earned his fifth All-Star appearance, fourth All-NBA selection, third straight All-NBA first team, and finished sixth in MVP voting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Season Outlook<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Celtics elected to run it back with virtually the same roster. As a result, Tatum and the Celtics are poised to repeat as champions. The core of Tatum, Brown, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jrue Holiday<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/whitede01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrick White<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kristaps Porzingis<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/horfoal01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-10-04_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Al Horford<\/a> is as talented and balanced as it gets. While several teams including the Knicks, Thunder, and 76ers made big moves the Celtics are still <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/05\/2024-25-nba-championship-odds\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">favored<\/a> to win the title.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> After a summer of constant criticism and receiving lackluster playing time in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/08\/29\/jayson-tatum-reflects-on-media-attention-and-olympic-benching\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Olympics<\/a> Tatum will have some extra motivation to avoid a championship hangover. Notably, Tatum <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JackSimoneNBA\/status\/1838997998426050621\/video\/1\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tweaked<\/a> his jump shot over the summer. While it doesn\u2019t look like a massive difference it appears that he got rid of a small hitch at the top of his shot and the overall shot looks smoother. Tatum\u2019s new jumper could help improve his scoring efficiency. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without Porzingis Tatum\u2019s presence as a rebounder will be even more important. The Celtics will also continue to count on Tatum\u2019s elite scoring and his ability to help orchestrate the offense as a playmaker. If the Celtics can replicate their success and Tatum&#8217;s stellar play continues he could end up in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/09\/27\/2024-25-nba-mvp-odds-jayson-tatum-unlikely-to-win-mvp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">MVP<\/a> conversations. Given Boston&#8217;s overall talent and other star&#8217;s importance to their team, Tatum will likely be on the outside looking in however, a top-five MVP finish feels very possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The Last Word<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tatum is perhaps the most divisive star. Some point out Tatum&#8217;s scoring inefficiencies in the playoffs along with the elite supporting cast around him to label him as overrated or not a top-10 player. Others believe Tatum is a clear top 10 player and could be as high as five. In my eyes, far too many people focus on the roster around Tatum but ignore how he impacts the game in a multitude of ways. Tatum\u2019s well-rounded skill set combined with his elite scoring cement his status as a superstar. Ultimately, Tatum\u2019s ability to impact every facet of the game along with his consistent success throughout his career justify his spot on the list. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Approaching the top five of our top 25 list, we arrive at\u00a0Jayson Tatum.\u00a0The Boston Celtics superstar star wing combines prolific scoring with an impressive all-around skill set. Tatum is fresh off an NBA Championship and is ready to compete for another this season. Let&#8217;s examine Tatum&#8217;s game and his spot on this list. Top 25 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4779,"featured_media":99523,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608,5],"tags":[798,5031,49488],"class_list":["post-99478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","category-celtics","tag-jayson-tatum","tag-nba-player-rankings","tag-top-25-nba-players-2024-25"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4779"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99478"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":181086,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99478\/revisions\/181086"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}