Tag: 2023 MVP

Is Jayson Tatum an early leader for MVP? Celtics HoFer Kevin Garnett weighs in

One Boston alum on another’s place in the early MVP race.

For the first time in his NBA career, All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum found himself one of the top five finishers in the vote for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the 2022-23 season. But for a player on the rise and just hitting the stride of his prime years in the league, finishing top five is nice — but not nearly enough.

Now, the St. Louis native is an early leader in the race for the league’s 2024 MVP award, easily in the top three and making a solid case for the top spot in a field still very much wide open for the taking.

On the most recent episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast, Hall of Fame Boston big man Kevin Garnett weighed in on who he sees in the mix for MVP early this season with guest Toney Squares.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Boston at Philadelphia: Celtics outlast 76ers 114-102, take 2-1 series lead

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ Game 3 vs. the 76ers in the second round of the ’23 playoffs.

The Boston Celtics knew they would get the best of the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series taking place on the Sixers’ home court, and the Celtics took care of business, winning 114-102. Boston not only ruined Joel Embiid’s return to the court, but they also ruined his MVP presentation night and teammate PJ Tucker’s birthday in the process.

On a night with six players reaching double figures on offense, big games from Jayson Tatum (27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists), Jaylen Brown (23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists), Al Horford (17 points, 7 rebounds), Marcus Smart (15 points, 3 steals), Derrick White (13 points, 6 boards), and Malcolm Brogdon (15 points, 6 assists) won the night. A special shout out to Grant Williams as well for his high-level defense on a night that saw him return to the court after getting his head stepped on by Embiid.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ Game 3 vs. the 76ers in the second round of the ’23 playoffs.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Heavy Boston Celtics presence in latest Athletic NBA Players poll

The Athletic’s anonymous NBA player poll engaged 108 members of the league’s 30 rosters with their identities protected so they can feel comfortable speaking freely, and a number of Celtics made the returns.

When it comes to NBA players voting for one another in terms of major awards, the results can be a mixed bag given All-Star votes can frequently be cast for other players on their own team whether the honor is truly deserved or not.

But it is undeniable that said players also know the sport more intimately and the players who play it better than pretty much anyone else as well. So we might want to take them seriously when interpreting the results of the recent survey conducted by The Athletic’s Sam Amick and Josh Robbins. Their 2023 anonymous NBA player poll engaged 108 members of the league’s 30 rosters with their identities protected so they can feel comfortable speaking freely, and a number of Celtics made the returns.

Let’s take a look at which Boston players ended up in what categories.

Should the NBA change how MVP is awarded?

At least some of that debate comes from the nebulous rubric used for voting on each season’s MVP.

By now, you are probably sick of hearing about the 2023 NBA Kia Most Valuable Player (MVP) award race, with pitched battles being fought over whether Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo or perhaps Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics ought to be in the lead to win the coveted hardware.

At least some of that debate arises from the nebulous rubric used for voting on each season’s MVP. Each voting media member uses the criteria they believe to be important when crowning a player with the highest regular season honor.

To that end, the hosts of the Peacock Network’s “Brothers from Another” show got into a debate on how the award might be changed to prevent such situations in the future.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to offer.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

[mm-video type=video id=01gty8wn8sam8tbjwk5e playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gty8wn8sam8tbjwk5e/01gty8wn8sam8tbjwk5e-d09a6e88ec16dc61f8a7dc9b090ee917.jpg]

ESPN’s Richard Jefferson says Celtics’ Jayson Tatum needs consistency to be a real MVP candidate

The Duke alum might be among the brightest stars in the league when he’s hot, but it’s the staying hot that has been the issue for Tatum.

Fans of the Boston Celtics and star forward Jayson Tatum may have picked up on the fact the St. Louis native has fallen out of the running for the 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award, or at the very least he is no longer the front-runner.

And while it might not be clear why the Celtics swingman has slipped in relation to Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s a question of consistency.

To hear one such perspective out of the mouth of former NBAer and current ESPN broadcaster Richard Jefferson, take a look at the clip we have embedded below.

The former Duke standout might be among the brightest stars in the league when he’s hot, but it’s the staying hot that has been the issue for Tatum.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

[mm-video type=video id=01gse45wqmetaee3m0t4 playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gse45wqmetaee3m0t4/01gse45wqmetaee3m0t4-5921914bea1572308afc8b509a2a7443.jpg]

Who is the MVP front-runner at the top of the stretch run?

And should Boston’s Jayson Tatum be getting more love?

Early in the NBA’s 2022-23 season, star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was the favorite to win the league’s 2023 Most Valuable Player award. His star has faded a bit while that of Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has ascended.

And there are many good reasons for that, from talking about the eye test all the way up to advanced metrics used by stat nerds. But is the media narrative regarding Tatum and his peers doing the rest of the field a disservice with its fixation on the Nuggets star?

The hosts of the “Ringer Mismatch” show recently put together a podcast in which they discussed Tatum and the rest of the field with regard to Jokic.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

[mm-video type=video id=01gsqnt3166sz7vet7ct playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gsqnt3166sz7vet7ct/01gsqnt3166sz7vet7ct-0a0cf5d030fb4fbcb80f1dbaa04cbdbd.jpg]

Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s early MVP odds are very promising

Oddsmakers believe Chargers QB Justin Herbert has what it takes to win the MVP award in 2023.

Oddsmakers believe Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a good shot to win the MVP award in 2023.

Herbert has the fourth-highest MVP odds at +1000; a $100 bet would win $1,000. The former Oregon product is right below Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes (+650), Bengals (+650), and Bills’ Josh Allen (+800), per DraftKings Sportsbook.

Herbert finished second in passing yards (4,739) and third in completion percentage (68.2%) in 2022.

This past season, Herbert dealt with fractured rib cartilage and a torn labrum in his non-throwing arm that kept him from playing at the level of his first two seasons.

Other factors are key players on offense had their respective injuries. Additionally, former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system was vanilla and kept most of Herbert’s throws short and underneath.

But the Chargers are hopeful new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system will do wonders for Herbert, who has yet to fully unlock what makes him such a great player: his immense arm strength and talent.

The middle to deep passing game should improve. While Moore was the Cowboys offensive coordinator, they had the seventh-highest average depth of target in the NFL (8.3 air yards per attempt).

Furthermore, on the move is when Herbert is at his best. And Moore utilized a lot of quarterback movement. In 2019, 2021, and 2022, Dak Prescott had the ninth-most dropbacks where he was rolling right or left or scrambling right or left to throw.

If the Chargers tinker with the personnel by getting a complete tight end and a speedy wide receiver in the draft and Moore’s system proves to play to Herbert’s strengths this upcoming season, he could very well be a strong candidate to hoist the MVP trophy.

JJ Redick on Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics place in a tight 2023 MVP race

JJ Redick of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast recently dove into the thick of the race and gave his opinion on where Tatum and his peers stack up against one another.

The NBA’s 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award is perhaps as competitive as it has ever been, with stars Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets at the forefront of discussions so far.

And if you thought we were done, Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors also have plausible cases that could be elevated if certain things break their way.

JJ Redick of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast recently dived into the thick of the race and gave his opinion on where Tatum and his peers stack up against one another.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what he had to say about a very close MVP race this season.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[mm-video type=video id=01gnyyhk2wfxygqxrj78 playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gnyyhk2wfxygqxrj78/01gnyyhk2wfxygqxrj78-2a09c84cf845aebde2e1e7631bb3df7b.jpg]

[vertical-gallery id=115225]

[lawrence-related id=115231,115222,115180,115249,115247,115176]

[listicle id=115223]

[listicle id=115098]

[listicle id=115045]

[listicle id=115015]

Will Jayson Tatum win MVP this season with the Boston Celtics?

The St. Louis native jumped out to an early lead in the narrative-based regular season award but has since seen the pressure turned up by the likes of Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic, Dallas Mavericks wunderkind Luka Doncic, and even a handful of other would-be challengers.

Will Jayson Tatum win the NBA’s Kia Most Valuable Player award this season with the Boston Celtics? The St. Louis native jumped to an early lead in the narrative for the regular-season award, the others including Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic and Dallas Mavericks wunderkind Luka Doncic, have surged in the race.

Other award races the Celtics have a solid shot at include Joe Mazzulla in the Coach of the Year race, Marcus Smart in the Defensive Player of the Year considerations, Brad Stevens in the Executive of the Year scrum and Malcolm Brogdon in the Sixth Man of the Year race. All have seen their fortunes change in recent weeks as has the probability of Jaylen Brown getting an All-NBA nod.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast got together with Ethan Fuller of the Boston Globe and Basketball News to talk over the state of the ball club and the various hardware races noted above.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[mm-video type=video id=01gnvvhtwcg9ky2927zk playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gnvvhtwcg9ky2927zk/01gnvvhtwcg9ky2927zk-5461ac128843862389bfa1e38d69b2d7.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=114949,114938,114947,114912,114943,114834]

[listicle id=114851]

[listicle id=114865]

[listicle id=114857]

[listicle id=114698]

Celtics Lab 161: Previewing Bucks-Cs on Christmas, the state of the East, NBA expansion and more with Jeff Zillgitt

The Celtics Lab podcast linked up with USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt to talk over the Celtics’ recent play, our expectations for the big national TV game and beyond, and more.

The Boston Celtics are poised to play the Milwaukee Bucks in one of the marquee games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Christmas Day. Whether you believe it should be the case, many of the narratives surrounding contention odds, the MVP and even All-Star races may be affected by that contest.

But what can we really learn about the state of the East, the cases to take home season-long hardware, and how each team is playing now (and might play in the postseason) based on what we will see on Dec. 25? What should we be watching for. Which players should we focus our attention on as Boston faces Milwaukee and Giannis Antetokounmpo as well as other upcoming games?

To get a bead on the state of the Celtics and their peers in the East, the hosts of the Celtics Lab podcast linked up with USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt to discuss the Celtics’ recent play, our expectations for the big national TV game and beyond, and more.

Powered by RedCircle

Get up to speed on Boston’s Christmas Day prospects, as well as what we can glean from their recent stumbles and their schedule to close December.

Powered by RedCircle

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[mm-video type=video id=01gmntg3p8xnvvrm81rw playlist_id=01eqbzegwgnrje4tv2 player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gmntg3p8xnvvrm81rw/01gmntg3p8xnvvrm81rw-18f917f18ccf1cb6b3398ef39b43d8b7.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=114362,114360,114354,114460,114351,114349]

[listicle id=114408]

[listicle id=114355]

[listicle id=114342]

[listicle id=114411]