Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Believes He’s Best Player In NBA

During an interview with NBA reporter Malika Andrews of ESPN, Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum was asked who the best player in the league was. 

Tatum said he was. 

"I truly do believe every night I step out on the floor, I'm the best player."

Jayson Tatum's mentality 😤

(via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/IK4vGZqhq4

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 20, 2024

Most people around the NBA have dubbed Nikola Jokic the top player in the NBA since the Denver Nuggets won the title last season and Jokic was named Finals MVP. 

However, you can’t knock Tatum for thinking he’s the best player in the league. That’s the type of mentality you need to be great. 

A five-time All-Star, Tatum is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks this season while shooting 47.5% from the field, 36.3% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free-throw line. The Celtics (43-12) have the best record in the NBA. 

Tatum is fifth in the league in total points and ninth in points per game. He has a chance to win his first MVP Award this year if the Celtics finish the season with the top record. 

Boston drafted Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 draft out of Duke. Tatum has made five All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. He also guided the Celtics to the 2022 Finals, a series the Golden State Warriors won in six games. 

Tatum, 25, has career averages of 23.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He’s well on his way to making the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

It will be fascinating to see how far the Celtics go in the 2024 playoffs. Tatum and Co. lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games.