Jayson Tatum is 2022-23’s leading MVP candidate to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith

For a good way into the 2022-23 NBA season, the race to win the 2023 Kia Most Valuable Player award was wide open. But last week, after superstar Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum eviscerated the Dallas Mavericks and fellow MVP candidate Luka Doncic thoroughly, that race has become much more clear for ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith.

The Bristol, Connecticut-based broadcaster made it clear who he supports for the award so far this season after witnessing the St. Louis native take over the game in spite of the Mavs star’s best efforts as Doncic’s supporting cast simply was not up to the task.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what Smith and his “NBA Countdown” cohosts had to say about Tatum’s place in the early going of the  2023 MVP race last week.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire