Apr 21, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket past Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) during the second half in game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Even at just 26 years old, Jayson Tatum has already garnered numerous awards over his NBA career. On a Boston Celtics team that finished 14 games ahead of any other team in the Eastern Conference, he is regarded as the club’s top player. As of right now, his Celtics’ lead over the Miami Heat in the first round is 1-0.
Tatum plays for an NBA that keeps growing more global in scope. Even while legendary athletes like Patrick Ewing, Dirk Nowitzki, and Hakeem Olajuwon were born outside of the country, an increasing number of players on rosters nowadays are foreign-born. Paul Pierce, the second-leading scorer in Celtics history, chose to declare Tatum the team’s best player—but with a disclaimer.
Pierce and his former Boston teammate Kevin Garnett co-host the podcast “Ticket and the Truth.” Declaring that he thinks Tatum will end up being the league’s face, he recently declared Tatum the best player born in the United States right now.
All of the leading candidates for this season’s MVP award were not born in the United States. It is quite likely that 29-year-old Nikola Jokic will win his third MVP award in the previous four seasons. Serbia was the place of his birth. Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the two players predicted to place second and third in the voting. Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian native, whereas Doncic was born in Slovenia.
In the voting, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo can come in fourth.
Apart from Tatum, the top players who were born in the US may essentially be divided into two categories. Players that have long been regarded as among the best make up one category. The other is a group of superstars who are still in their prime.
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis would be on the list of long-time veterans. They are both older than thirty, with James turning forty in December.
Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, Devin Booker, and Anthony Edwards would have to be on the list of players under thirty.
