Will Jayson Tatum win NBA MVP?

Let’s get actually formidable. Jayson Tatum has been progressing in his profession to the purpose the place he’s thought-about among the finest within the recreation. He simply led his crew to the NBA Finals, he’s among the finest scorers within the league, he has an incredible all-around recreation, and he’s rising as one of many faces of the league.

However will he carry out nicely sufficient to be the MVP?

Tatum appears to have a behavior of beginning off sluggish and constructing momentum all year long. His sluggish begin to the 12 months final 12 months successfully took him out of any MVP discussions earlier than the season actually acquired underway. What if he begins off stronger this 12 months?

What if the Celtics are sitting on the prime of the standings on the finish of the 12 months and Tatum is main the way in which in scoring and nonetheless enjoying distinctive protection? That isn’t to remove from the contributions of his teammates, however usually the very best participant on the very best crew will get an extended have a look at the MVP award.

In fact, there are rivals that will make any MVP race shut all 12 months lengthy. Again-to-back winner Nikola Jokic will probably be again (with a more-healthy crew this time). Joel Embiid had a case for successful the award final 12 months as nicely. Giannis Antetokounmpo has a case yearly. A bounce again 12 months could possibly be coming for LeBron James. I wouldn’t rule out Steph Curry both. Then there’s different newcomers to this race, like Ja Morant and Luka Doncic.

There’s lots of politics concerned within the MVP race, so there needs to be a compelling “story” round his case. Possibly the narrative will probably be that developing quick within the Finals fueled his drive to be the very best within the league.

So what do you suppose? Will he win MVP? If not, who do you suppose will win? Who must be the highest 3?