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When you think about the best players in the Eastern Conference, the first two names that come to mind are probably Giannis Antetokounmpo and — health permitting — Joel Embiid.
Antetokounmpo is clearly in a class of his own, and when Embiid is actually on the floor, he is a force.
But who is No. 3?
It was a legitimate question entering the 2019-20 NBA campaign, but at that point, I don't think anyone was thinking of Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. The potential was there, but the results weren't.
Now, in late February, I think it's safe to say that the results have caught up with the talent.
Tatum has morphed into an absolute monster. In 10 games this month, he is averaging 30.3 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists over 36.4 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor, 49.5 percent from 3-point range and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line.
On the season overall, Tatum is registering 23.1 points per game and owns an insane net rating of plus-12.2.
He dropped 41 points in a tight loss to the Los Angeles Lakers this past weekend, a game in which the Celtics did not have Kemba Walker. He then followed that up by pouring in 36 in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
These aren't isolated performances, either. He dominated the Los Angeles Clippers with a 39-point performance in a thrilling win before the All-Star break. He tallied back-to-back 30-plus-point outings earlier in the month.
Jayson Tatum is developing into a superstar right before our very eyes, and it has been truly amazing to watch.
It's not just what he is doing offensively, either. He is also a defensive freak, utilizing his length, savvy and athleticism to be a disruptive force on that end of the floor.
He is basically a younger version of Paul George, and he is much further along than George was at this age. Did I mention Tatum is only 21 years old?
We saw this potential a couple of years ago in the playoffs when Tatum went toe-to-toe with LeBron James and even posterized him in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. It dissipated last season when Kyrie Irving and a toxic locker room hijacked Tatum's progression, but this season, the youngster has taken the leap and then some.
There are other really good players in the East. Jimmy Butler is always up there. Pascal Siakam is a two-way stud. Bradley Beal has been a one-man wrecking crew this season.
But none of them truly measure up to Tatum right now, and that is saying a heck of a lot given how much uncertainty there was surrounding Tatum going into the year.
The C's have several other terrific players in Walker, Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. But as good as those guys are, it has become pretty clear that the Celtics are now Jayson Tatum's team, and Boston is also the biggest threat to the Milwaukee Bucks because of it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is absolutely the best player in the conference and a right Joel Embiid is No. 2, but Jayson Tatum is bringing up the rear.
The scary part is that he is just getting started.
