“As a kid, you set a lot of goals for yourself.” Jayson Tatum mentioned during a recent interview and it seems like the small forward is making his way to accomplish all his goals. The 26-year-old, who became a Champion with the Celtics last year, is on a run to prove his skills again this season and has already helped the Celtics to clinch two back-to-back victories. However, even after continuing with this glory, a former NBA star has raised the stakes for the 26-year-old phenom, suggesting that regular season accolades won’t be enough to cement his legacy.

In a recent appearance on ‘Gil’s Arena podcast‘, Brandon Jennings, the former Milwaukee Bucks star, acknowledged Tatum’s impressive regular season performance but threw down the gauntlet for something greater. “I can say Jayson Tatum definitely can get MVP… No he [Jayson Tatum] still got to do that sh*t in the Finals. Go do it in the Finals,” said Jennings during the podcast.

It can be speculated that the whole reason for the rise of the topic could be the interview that Tatum gave after winning against the Washington Wizards on Thursday. During the interview, the 5x All-Star desired his wish to become an MVP after ranking sixth in last season’s voting.

“I’ve been very fortunate enough to check off a lot of boxes of things that I wanted to accomplish, things that my favorite players accomplished. Saying that MVP is important to me is not in a way taking away from the success of our team. Every guy that’s ever won MVP has been on a championship-contending team. If you’re an MVP, you’re dominating, you’re efficient, you’re playing the right way, and you’re impacting winning,” said Tatum during the interview.

Tatum’s 2023-24 campaign had been nothing short of spectacular, averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting an efficient 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. This season also, the small forward is ranked 7th with 31 points per game. Thus, slowly solidifying his chances of being an MVP.

“I think just his ability to do what he’s doing as far as his shot-making and finding the shots that he wants to take that are best for him [and] that are best for our team. Rebounding at a high level on both ends of the floor. Defending at a high level and playmaking,” said Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla about Tatum.

However, Jennings’ challenge touches on a sensitive nerve in Boston’s recent history. The Celtics have made the Eastern Conference Finals four times out of the past seven seasons, but have only made it to the NBA Finals once in Tatum’s time (which would be 2022 as the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors). Tatum faces a unique pressure to not only win MVP but to dominate in the Finals.

While regular season MVPs are seldom remembered, the Finals MVP often holds a place in NBA lore — consider past legends like Jerry West, Willis Reid, and recently Giannis Antetokounmpo.

As the Celtics march with their glory with championship aspirations, Tatum’s response to this challenge could define his legacy. Moreover, this isn’t the only time that the NBA world has seen Jenning make such a bold statement. Recently the former Bucks player even made the headlines for a bold statement against NBA’s greats.

Brandon Jennings doesn’t include the NBA’s greatest in his top-five list

Former NBA guard Jennings, renowned for his outspoken nature, has recently made waves after declaring that he left Michael Jordan off his personal top five all-time NBA players list. He instead chose Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.

During the recent episode of Above The Rim with DH12 podcast, Jennings revealed that he initially didn’t love the game of basketball but eventually fell in love with the game when discovered the likes of Bryant and Shaq.

“I don’t have MJ in my top five because when I was 7 or 8 years old, that’s the last time he won a championship, and I didn’t really understand basketball like that… I respect it, you know. I can go watch a highlight tape, but what I saw, what I really felt and understood, was the Steph Curry’s, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant’s, Shaq’s, and KD,” said Jenning during the podcast.

While Jennings acknowledged Jordan’s greatness and respect for his career, his personal connection and understanding of the game were shaped by the players he witnessed during his formative years like many others who claim their GOAT is someone who they’ve watched play and dominate. Hence, with him keeping Jordan off his list and pushing Tatum to do better only proves that he supports the ones he has seen play in front of him.