Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix on how close Jayson Tatum is to being "100% back"

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated joins WEEI Afternoons to discuss the Boston Celtics' current form and the remarkable recovery of Jayson Tatum, who is nearing full health after a ruptured Achilles tendon. Mannix emphasizes that while Tatum’s minutes are still being managed gradually, he looks physically 100% back and has delivered elite performances, including a Player of the Week award that Mannix calls one of the most consequential in NBA history due to the severity and speed of Tatum’s comeback. He highlights Tatum’s unexpectedly strong defensive play and improving shot mechanics, suggesting his offensive numbers will rise further. Mannix also evaluates the Eastern Conference landscape, asserting that despite the Pistons’ resilience without Cade Cunningham and the Knicks’ recent struggles, the Celtics are the clear favorite to win the East. He dismisses speculation about Brad Stevens leaving the Celtics for college or Dallas, calling it unrealistic given Stevens’ elite executive role and lack of interest in returning to college basketball. Mannix also weighs in on the MVP race, placing Luka Doncic in the top four but favoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama as the frontrunners due to consistency and two-way excellence. Finally, he reflects on Joe Mazzulla’s controversial dismissal of the Coach of the Year award, suggesting it’s likely a bit but acknowledging Mazzulla’s deserving recognition for his staff’s collective work.