The Boston Celtics are flying, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge among the favorites for MVP.
Holding the best record in the league at 21-5, Boston is the early frontrunner, and coming off one of their most impressive wins of the season, a 125-98 road victory over the Phoenix Suns, they're not getting carried away just yet.
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"While we're having fun and happy with the way we're playing, nobody in that locker is celebrating or satisfied [with] we're at," Tatum said. "None of this means anything if we don't hang a banner."
Boston has won 17 of their past 19 games, fueled by their high-octane offense, currently boasting a league-best 119.6 offensive rating.
Celtics offensive rating this season
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 8, 2022
October: 119.0
November: 120.8
Since Thanksgiving: 124.0
The best offense of all time is getting better. pic.twitter.com/7IiwdMbubs
“We realize that we’ve got the best record; we’re 21-5; with that comes the decision every night to play the right way, to play as hard as we can on both ends.”
After losing in last season's NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games, Boston is playing with a spirit of unfinished business, with Tatum taking his game to another level this season.
The 24-year-old is currently fifth in the league in scoring at 30.5 points per game, adding a career-high 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, one steal, and a block on .480/.365/.863 shooting splits.
"Nobody in that locker room is satisfied"
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 8, 2022
Jayson Tatum on Celtics' motivation after the big win against Phoenix pic.twitter.com/UpCL0c0PJB
Despite his individual improvement, vaulting himself into the MVP conversation, Tatum is locked in on making it happen in June.
"That's the ultimate goal. It's a step in the right direction every night, the way we're playing, and I'm proud of that. But big win, it's a hard place to win against a really good team," he said. "But ultimately, we won, and it's on to the next one."
MORE: How the Celtics have already established themselves as 2023 championship favorites
While the Celtics are cruising, their fast start is even more impressive given they've been without starting center Robert Williams III, who is close to making his season debut.
In his absence, Boston has got the job done by committee, with the likes of derrick White, Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, and Blake Griffin all stepping up at different times throughout the first portion of the season.
