Boston Celtics F Jayson Tatum is that this week’s Japanese Convention Participant of the Week . . . once more. After incomes the honors final week, one other sturdy week of being the most effective participant within the East during the last seven days has earned him repeat honors as he’s climbed up NBA.com’s MVP leaderboard all the way in which as much as fourth place.
Let’s recap the final seven days, lets? The Celtics went undefeated final week (3 straight wins) in opposition to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Utah Jazz and the Minnesota Timberwolves (that includes final week’s Western Convention Participant of the Week, Karl-Anthony Cities). In these three victories, Tatum put collectively 32.0 factors, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks whereas capturing 58.2% from the sphere (!) and 50.0% from behind the 3-point line.
That’s absurd.
Per the NBA’s official launch: “The three-time all-star was the one NBA participant to common 32.0 factors whereas capturing 50.0% from past the arc all through the week, having registered at the least 25 factors and 5 three-point area objectives in all three video games.”
Tatum’s placing collectively a pleasant season regardless of a very sluggish begin within the closing months of 2021. Because the new 12 months started, he’s been on hearth, now averaging for the season a career-high 27.1 factors, a career-high 8.1 rebounds (!), and a career-high 4.3 assists. He’s set Celtics historical past on quite a few events, together with most 50-point video games in franchise historical past, and as we speak is his newest addition to Celtics lore – he’s the one Celtic participant to earn consecutive Participant of the Week distinctions.
He’s solely in his fifth NBA season.
Oh, and Devin Booker earned the Western Convention Participant of the Week award for the Phoenix Suns. I suppose that’s type of necessary.
Tatum gained’t be testing his proper patella tendinopathy tonight in opposition to the Toronto Raptors, however when he fits up subsequent, he’ll be aiming to proceed his latest dominance that has each propelled the Celtics to the highest of the Japanese Convention standings and himself close to the highest of the MVP dialog.
