Just ahead of Dallas Mavericks star wing Luka Doncic (who is unlikely to win the award based on his injury history so far this season) and just behind Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the ranking feels about right for Tatum, who has certainly not been playing the best ball of his current campaign in recent weeks.

“Tatum has firmly entrenched himself inside the top five of these MVP shindigs,” writes Favale. “The Boston Celtics are no worse than the league’s third-best team, and he’s the primary force driving their offense.”

“Much of what he does can be lost in the shuffle of the top-end talent he plays alongside,” adds the B/R analyst. “That is fair, to some extent. His workload at either end of the floor will never be as heavy as many of his peers, particularly as a playmaker and defender.”