Jayson Tatum going full "Ric Flair" on other MVP candidates lauded by NFL analyst

Jayson Tatum has been making a strong case for the NBA MVP this season. He has led the Boston Celtics to the top of the Eastern Conference with his impressive performances on the court.

In a recent Christmas Day matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tatum put on a show, scoring 41 points and leading the Celtics to a win. This performance solidified Tatum's place among the top contenders for the MVP award this season. As a result, he is receiving praise from many analysts.

Jayson Tatum’s performance against the Milwaukee Bucks earned the forward some high praise from NBCS’ Tom Giles:

“What is it? Ric Flair (who says) to be the man you gotta beat the man? If Jayson Tatum wants the MVP, he gotta be ready every time there is another candidate on the floor."

He continued:

"Take away that one game against Curry, it feels like he has sure risen to the occasion each time. There is a little twinkle in his eye each time there is another superstar in front of him. Whether its been Luka, or Ja, or Jokic, or whatever. I think the Denver matchup is going to be monster. I think Tatum has been really good, and far more than any other season."

He added:

"When it matters most, when there are other superstars, not only offensively, he wants to take on Giannos and Jokic and all those guys because of all he is plaing and how he wants to be the best on both sides of the ball.”

Jayson Tatum deserves to be in the MVP conversation

Jayson Tatum has consistently been one of the top scorers in the league this season, averaging 30.1 points per game. He is also a strong rebounder and playmaker, averaging 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.

He was recently named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for October and November. His strong play has helped the Celtics secure the top spot in the conference.

Tatum is shooting at a career-high efficiency of 55.3% despite taking on his highest ever 9.1 3-point attempts each game. While the regular season still has a long way to go, Tatum has been the obvious choice for the MVP award thus far.

In addition to his individual success, Tatum has also been a key player in the team's success. The Celtics have been one of the top teams in the NBA this season, and Tatum's leadership on the court has been a big part of that.