“Not chasing MVP” – Jayson Tatum doubles down on team success over personal accolades

Boston Celtics’ talisman Jayson Tatum has revealed he isn’t chasing MVP title and team’s success is more important for him than personal accolades. The Celtics’ star recently claimed he wants to win the NBA championship and also the MVP title. Tatum won the NBA ring with Boston Celtics in the previous season after they defeated Dallas Mavericks by 4-1 in the finals.

However, Tatum could not win the MVP as Denver Nuggets talisman Nikola Jokic clinched the prestigious title for his consistent performance.

Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum has played at an MVP level for years now, but still doesn’t have an award in his CV. He finished 12th in MVP voting in 2019-20, sixth in MVP voting in 2021-22, fourth in 2022-23, and sixth in 2023-24.

“Everybody should have individual goals and we’re all mature enough and know what it’s like to have team success. That nothing gets in the way of what we’re trying to accomplish and be as special and great as we were last year and even better this year. Whether guys want to make All-Defensive teams, All-Star, be MVP, you should be able to want to go after that. That means that you’re having a hell of a year,” Tatum said after Celtics’ preseason win against Denver Nuggets.

“Not chasing MVP, in spite of us, costing us games or anything like that, but if I’m in that conversation, that means we’re one of the best teams, that means I’m playing the right way and everybody on the team is having success, and we’re going in the right path.”

Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are one of the best duos in the NBA but the latter is not interested in having any such title from the media and wants to put the team first.

“We understand that’s what the media, they emphasize and select that, but this sport is played five-on-five. We need all of our teammates out there to contribute to help us be who we are. I think we’ve been able to accomplish a lot, but having great teammates as well has been able to help increase.

So the sport is played five-on-five. I know we like to highlight duos or individuals for their play, but I like to be a part of the team and uplift the team because that helps me be who I am,” Brown said. [H/T NBC Sports Boston]

Celtics will begin their NBA campaign against New York Knicks on 23rd October.