Shortly after the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals back in June, Boston star Jayson Tatum was approached by his 6-year-old son, Deuce, who told his dad that he was the best player in the world.
“You’re damn right I am,” Jayson Tatum responded.
Deuce Tatum is certainly in the minority, though, with many fans saying that frequent inconsistent performances and the inability to knock down game-winning shots will always hold Jayson Tatum back from ever being named MVP.
A good portion of the gripes with Jayson Tatum’s game tend to be harsh overreactions, and this could finally be the year that the 26-year-old silences his doubters now that he has a title under his belt.
Here are three players who could be named MVP of the 2024-25 season:
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
What gave it away that Tatum would land on this list? The 135-word intro?
Joining forces with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis to make up the Celtics’ starting five caused Tatum to put more emphasis on his playmaking rather than his scoring last season, and he paid for it when it came time to vote for MVP.
Tatum ended up finishing sixth, but all signs are pointing toward him developing an even more well-rounded game this season. He stuffed the stat sheet during Boston’s title run, recording averages of 25.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists across 19 playoff games.
With Porzingis expected to miss at least two months because of ankle surgery, Tatum will have to take on an even bigger role on the glass, and he’s still an elite scorer whether you choose to believe it or not.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Apr 14, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts to his shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Target Center. credits: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports The Oklahoma City Thunder would have gone nowhere last season had it not been for Gilgeous-Alexander.
“SGA,” as they call him, poured in 30.1 points per game on 53.5 percent shooting from the field to guide Oklahoma City to its first playoff berth since 2020. The Thunder then made it out of the first round for the first time in eight years thanks to a 4-0 sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans.
And we should also mention that Oklahoma City locked up the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed, an achievement that doesn’t come without Gilgeous-Alexander’s services.
Scary thing is, we still don’t know the height of Gilgeous-Alexander’s ceiling. He was 25 last season and still managed to finish second in MVP voting. Thunder general manager Sam Presti continues to surround him with the right pieces, and if we had to guess, he’s only going to get better and better from here.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 9, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) grabs his leg in the third quarter and left game against the Boston Celtics with an injury at Fiserv Forum. credits: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports It was very clear that Antetokounmpo and fellow Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard were going through some growing pains in 2023-24, their first season together.
Milwaukee (49-33) finished in third in the Eastern Conference standings and was bounced in the first round of the playoffs as Antetokounmpo nursed a calf strain. He was sidelined for all six of the Bucks’ postseason meetings with the Indiana Pacers, so you can bet he’s rearing to get back out on the floor.
A two-time MVP and constant triple-double threat, Antetokounmpo should have the pick and roll with Lillard down to a science, and if he does, good luck to those who get in his way.