Is Jayson Tatum the Most Disrespected Superstar in the NBA? Paul Pierce Thinks So 😳

Jayson Tatum is putting up MVP-caliber numbers, leading one of the best teams in the NBA, and playing some of the most efficient basketball of his career — yet somehow, he’s still not getting the love you’d expect for a player of his caliber. According to Celtics legend Paul Pierce, it’s time to talk about it. In a recent interview, Pierce didn’t mince words: “Jayson Tatum is the most disrespected superstar in the league.”

😳 Bold claim? Maybe. But Pierce isn’t the only one noticing it.

Tatum has been a consistent force for the Boston Celtics over the past few years. He’s made five straight All-Star teams, earned All-NBA honors, and led the Celtics to deep playoff runs, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022. And yet, when conversations around the league’s best players come up — the MVPs, the faces of the league, the closers — Tatum’s name often seems to slide down the list or get left out entirely.

This season, he’s averaging around 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on elite efficiency. The Celtics have been at or near the top of the Eastern Conference standings all year. He plays both ends of the floor, doesn’t shy away from big moments, and continues to evolve as a playmaker and leader. So why does it feel like he’s always fighting for respect?

That’s what Pierce — a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest Celtics of all time — wanted to shine a light on. “You look at what Tatum does every night, the numbers he puts up, the wins he leads his team to… and then look at how little he’s talked about compared to guys like Luka, Jokic, Steph, or Embiid. I’m not saying those guys don’t deserve the praise, but Tatum belongs in that tier. Period,” Pierce said.

There’s definitely something to that. Tatum has become the go-to guy for a team that has had championship expectations for the last three seasons. He’s delivered iconic playoff performances, including a 51-point Game 7 explosion against the 76ers last year — the most points ever scored in a Game 7. Yet somehow, the narrative around him always seems to focus more on what he hasn’t done.

Maybe it’s because he hasn’t won a title yet. Maybe it’s the quiet, calm demeanor he carries on the court — less flash, more focus. Maybe it’s the fact that Boston has had multiple stars and a deep roster, so it’s easier for some to downplay his impact. But anyone watching knows: this team goes as Tatum goes.

Even opposing players have started to show more respect. In a recent postgame presser, an Eastern Conference guard said, “Tatum’s a problem. He makes it look easy, and you can’t speed him up. People talk about him like he’s just another All-Star — no, he’s a superstar.”

Still, the spotlight isn’t always as bright as it should be.

Part of the disrespect may come from expectations. Tatum’s been so good, so young, for so long that fans and media alike have come to expect greatness without appreciating it. It’s like he’s a victim of his own consistency. If he scores 30 and leads the Celtics to another win? That’s just “normal.” But if another star does it, it’s headline-worthy.

Paul Pierce’s comments have sparked more conversation, and maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe it’s time for people to stop nitpicking and start acknowledging what Tatum brings to the table every single night.

Because if being a top-10 player, MVP candidate, two-way leader, and perennial winner doesn’t earn you superstar-level respect, what does?