Jayson Tatum is a top-10 player in the NBA. He’s the Boston Celtics’ most complete talent, and he’s expected to lead his team to victory in the 2024 NBA Finals when the Celtics face the Dallas Mavericks. However, Tatum won’t be the best player in the series. That crown will belong to Luka Doncic.
According to former Celtics champion Kendrick Perkins, if Tatum outplays Doncic throughout the series, he will likely be crowned as Finals MVP and an NBA champion. Furthermore, Perkins believes Tatum would cement his legacy as an all-time Celtics great.
“Word of the day is royalty,” Perkins said. “…When it comes to playing for the Celtics organization, one of the most historical franchises in sports. We’re talking about Celtics royalty. We’re talking about Paul Pierce, Bill Russell, Larry Bird and the list goes on…Not only does he have the opportunity of winning the NBA championship, but he’s gotta win the Finals MVP to be submitted in Celtics royalty. Meaning you’ve got to go out there and be the best player on the floor.”
Perkins’ comments are fair. Yet, it’s not easy to define the best performer in a series. Doncic and Tatum play different brands of basketball. Tatum has become a complete player. He defends at a high level, he rebounds, he creates for others, he scores from all three levels and he lets the game come to him. Doncic takes the game by the throat and forces his will onto a defense.
Winning a championship should be enough to elevate Tatum’s legacy into the history books. He’s been successful since entering the NBA. He’s still a year or two away from being in his prime. His shooting struggles on the perimeter won’t last forever, either.
Whatever happens, Tatum’s focus will be on winning a championship, not outdueling Doncic in an individual matchup. He’s spoken of his desire for the Celtics to win while playing ‘the right way’ all season. It’s highly doubtful he will veer off track at this late point in the postseason.
Tatum wants a championship. He’s on the cusp of achieving that goal. It doesn’t matter who the best player in the series is, only who ends the year with a ring. Whatever the media says between now and the end of the season won’t change the way Tatum or the Celtics play. They’re too talented to be swayed that easily.
