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NBA MVP Ladder: The Official 2021-2022 NBA MVP Ballot

By Michael Shearer

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 30, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is defended by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at Fiserv Forum on January 30, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NBA MVP Ladder, NBA MVP Ballot
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 10: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on April 10, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee, NBA MVP Ladder: The Official 2021-2022 NBA MVP Ballot. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

NBA MVP Fifth Place: Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has had a roller-coaster year. After starting the season in a bit of haze (shooting just 39 percent from the field in November), Tatum steadily improved before having his best month in March, when he averaged 33 points per game on 54/45/91 shooting splits.

He’s only missed six games (the Celtics went 2-4). The Celtics are +16.1 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the court versus when he is off, second in the NBA only to Nikola Jokic. Lineups with him and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ other young star wing, have outscored opponents by +14.5 points per 100 possessions, defying the early-season narrative that it was time to break them up.

Tatum’s passing better than he ever has in his career and sports a 20.6 percent assist percentage, which ranks in the 90th percentile for forwards. He’s exchanged some of those maddening deep twos for a healthier diet of threes. Anecdotally, he’s finally starting to develop a better sense of when to look for his own shot and when to create for others.

The young forward still plays superb defense at the all-important wing spot, and he can lock down anyone two through four. He rarely fouls, and he uses sound positional technique instead of relying on athleticism for steal and block attempts that might leave him out of position.

The most underrated aspect of Tatum’s game has been his rebounding, where he set a career-high with 8.0 boards per game. This has allowed him to initiate more of the offense by getting into transition and pushing the break.

At 24 years old, Tatum looks primed to be the NBA’s next great wing player.