On March 31, Beijing time, according to the US media NBC Boston reporter Chris Mannix revealed that the Celtics' small forward Tatum had spoken to Embiid, advising the latter to find a way to win the MVP this year, because he will take the award next year.
"Let me share a little piece of the story about how much Jason Tatum values MVPs. Once I was in a conversation with Tatham's longtime trainer, Drew Hanlen, and he said he was training with Joel Embiid when Tatum called and at the end of the conversation, Tatum said to Embiid, 'You'd better get the MVP this year because next year I'll get it.'" The reporter wrote in the article.
This season, Tatum has improved rapidly, averaging 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game, a career high in points and rebounds, and a career-high assist.
In Particular, in March, Tatum averaged 33.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game before playing against the Heat, and the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in March is likely to be in his pocket.
If Tatum continues to maintain this pace of improvement, it is not impossible for him to say that he wants to get the MVP next season. Embiid does need to take advantage of this season's opportunities, but in recent games, Embiid has lost games against MVP rivals such as Jokic, Booker and Alphabet Brother, which is a very negative impact on him. If Embiid still wants to get the MVP, the few games in the regular season, he has to cheer more.