Jayson Tatum will always let his game do the talking

On Friday, ESPN released its annual straw poll, in which 100 voters were quizzed about the current MVP race. Jayson Tatum ranked fourth despite the Boston Celtics' blisteringly hot start to the season. The poll generated significant discussion online, with most Celtics fans believing Tatum had been overlooked yet again. 

Tatum isn't one to speak out against the media or call out voters for their opinions. Since entering the NBA, he's been about one thing: putting in work on the court. So, when he dropped a record-breaking triple-double against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, it came as no surprise.

The three-time All-NBA first-team selection scored 43 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. His stat line was all the more impressive due to him taking just two free-throw attempts throughout the game. He found ways to dominate the game, control the tempo and score at will, all without leaning into his physical advantages and ability to draw fouls.

"He went outside what we normally do, and that's a testament to him," Head coach Joe Mazzulla said during his postgame news conference. "Just his shot-making, his decision-making, his ability to rebound, I thought he kind of controlled the entire game."

There's no doubt Tatum is good enough to contend for an MVP award. Unfortunately for him, he's surrounded by the best supporting cast in the NBA. 

As such, his individual numbers are lower than if he were spearheading a poorly constructed roster. However, any true competitor would swap the MVP candidacy for the opportunity to contend for championships. Winning at the highest level defines a player's legacy, especially with a franchise such as Boston. 

Tatum has the chance to become a Celtics legend, which, considering the amount of talent that has been passed through the franchise, is no easy feat. If that means forgoing a shot at an MVP award, then so be it. Either way, he won't speak out on it. Instead, he'll take his frustrations out on the court, just as he did against the Bulls.