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Ex-Boston Celtics big votes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP over Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson

By Andrew Hughes

Mar 2, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives
Mar 2, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives / Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Former Boston Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins picked Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his 2023-24 NBA regular season MVP over two-time MVP and the Denver Nuggets' lone Finals MVP, Nikola Jokic, Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic, and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson -- citing SGA's otherworldly stats and the Oklahoma City Thunder's team success for why he believes the Toronto native is deserving.

"Jokic, Luka and Brunson are all deserving of the MVP… but Shai leading the second youngest team to the best record in an absolutely STACKED Western Conference while putting up numbers like MJ and Steph did during their MVP seasons is the reason HE is the MVP of the league!!! It’s also the reasons why (SGA) got my vote for MVP!!! Carry the hell on," Perkins tweeted.

SGA, along with Jokic, Doncic, Brunson, and Jayson Tatum made up Perkins' First Team All-NBA squad.

Lack of individual awards for Jayson Tatum demonstrates Boston Celtics depth

It's possible that the 2023-24 Celtics are a deeper overall team than the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors, the team most would label as the modern era's top outfit. Boston surpassed those Dubs' net-rating this past season, and that's without a consensus top-five player, let alone, two (Steph Curry, Kevin Durant) that Golden State had seven years ago.

Tatum doesn't get the same recognition of a Curry or KD, putting up similar stats to the latter but in a league with increased pace and even gaudier numbers elsewhere; like what we've seen from SGA, Jokic, and Doncic. That doesn't mean he's any less great, though.

The Celtics are just too good collectively, holding back Tatum's award ceiling.

Ask Tatum if he really cares and he'd likely pivot the conversation to team success. Growing up on social media and seeing that "ringz" are the only determinant of greatness to (way too) many, Tatum knows that his legacy will be defined by how many more banners can be raised in the TD Garden with him leading the charge.

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