Lou Williams: Jayson Tatum Is In Same Tier As Luka Doncic, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, And Nikola Jokic

Lou Williams believes Jayson Tatum is firmly in the upper echelon of NBA superstars, placing him alongside Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic. Speaking on FanDuel TV, Williams emphasized that Tatum's status as one of the league's elite players remains unquestioned despite the differences in their roles and responsibilities on their respective teams.

"I still think he’s one of the top 2 players in the league. Obviously, that can be interchangeable depending on health. That’s going to be a big catalyst for how this season goes, but he’s still right there with Luka. He’s still right there with SGA, Jokic, you know, and those are the top 4 guys."

This high praise for Tatum reflects his position as one of the NBA's most versatile and dynamic talents. Over the last few seasons, Tatum has evolved into a perennial All-Star and a three-time First-Team All-NBA player. His scoring ability, leadership, and two-way play have made him the face of the Boston Celtics. However, when compared to players like Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jokic, Tatum's path to recognition as a true MVP candidate has been different.

While players like Jokic, Doncic, and Gilgeous-Alexander have thrived as the undisputed focal points of their teams, Tatum plays on a stacked Celtics roster. The presence of All-Star caliber players such as Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart (before he was traded), and now Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis, has somewhat limited Tatum's opportunities to showcase the individual statistical dominance seen from the likes of Luka or Shai. 

Jokic, who is a three-time MVP and Finals MVP winner, has been the central force in Denver's offensive system. His ability to orchestrate the offense through his passing and scoring prowess has earned him recognition as one of the game's most impactful players.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the other hand, carried the Oklahoma City Thunder to an unexpected playoff push last season, finishing third in MVP voting. His ability to lead and put up monster stats as the Thunder's clear number one option has cemented his status as one of the league’s brightest stars. 

Similarly, Luka Doncic, who is known for his exceptional all-around game and triple-double potential, has also been at the forefront of MVP discussions. As the franchise cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic carries the bulk of the offensive load, making him a statistical leader in points, rebounds, and assists.

In contrast, Jayson Tatum doesn't always need to put up gaudy numbers to help his team win. His team’s depth has allowed him to focus more on defense, making him one of the best two-way players in the league. Tatum's ability to score at all three levels, defend multiple positions, and elevate his teammates has kept him in the conversation as one of the top talents in the NBA, even if he hasn't yet reached the MVP-level recognition his peers have garnered.

What separates Tatum from his counterparts isn't a lack of talent but the situation he's in. His Celtics team is built to compete for championships, and while that may prevent him from putting up the same stats as Doncic or Gilgeous-Alexander, it also means he doesn't have to. Tatum's success is measured in wins and deep playoff runs, rather than just individual accolades. But, as Lou Williams stated, Tatum is still in the same tier as Luka, Shai, and Jokic, and his importance to Boston cannot be overstated.