One year ago, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum named Giannis Antetokounmpo as the best active player in the NBA.
His answer has changed due to a bit of newfound confidence.
“Myself,” Tatum answered in a recent interview when asked by ESPN’s Malika Andrews to name the league’s best player. “I’ve got a lot of respect for a lot of guys in the league. Giannis for sure. [Nikola] Jokić, obviously he just won. [Joel] Embiid, guys who won MVPs. The list goes on; the league is in a great place.
“I truly believe every night I step on the floor, I’m the best player.”
Tatum, who played in his fifth straight All-Star Game over the weekend, is averaging 27.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season. He is shooting a career-high 47.5% from the field while leading the Celtics to an NBA-best 43–12 record at the All-Star break.
The Celtics lost the 2022 NBA Finals in six games to the Golden State Warriors and fell in the Eastern Conference finals to the Miami Heat last season. But Tatum believes his improved confidence can lead Boston to new heights.
“Maybe I’ve kind of grown into my own in a sense,” Tatum said. “I’m still young, 25, but it’s my seventh year in the league. I’m very confident because I know how hard I work, I know how much I put into this game, I know how badly I want to be one of the best.
“Why wouldn’t I be confident?”
