Having observed Jayson Tatum’s impressive performance against the New York Knicks on Monday, Boston Celtics icon Paul Pierce is now firmly convinced of one thing: The Problem stands as the premier US-born player in today’s NBA.

Pierce took his bold claim to X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Tatum is the best American Basketball Player in the World.”

And for those who hold a different view, the Celtics icon and former champion urges them to simply “shut up.”

In Monday’s game, Tatum showcased his prowess with a remarkable 35-point performance on 13-of-23 shooting, including a 5-of-12 display from beyond the arc. The Celtics star also contributed six rebounds, seven assists, and one steal, leading Boston to a decisive 114-98 victory over Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks.

Given Tatum’s outstanding display, it’s no wonder Paul Pierce is genuinely enthusiastic about the young player, boldly asserting that he’s the premier American basketball player in today’s game. While there’s certainly merit to Pierce’s statement, Tatum finds himself among the MVP candidates for the 2023-24 season, potentially trailing behind non-US-born players such as Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Luka Doncic.

However, it might be a tad premature to crown Tatum with that title just yet. Competing talents like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Donovan Mitchell are also delivering exceptional performances.

Curry, in particular, is achieving unprecedented feats for a player aged 35 or older, becoming the first to maintain a 30-point average through the initial 10 games of a season. The Golden State Warriors star, much like Tatum, is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. Similarly, James continues to defy expectations with the Los Angeles Lakers, even in his age-39 season.

Should Tatum sustain his current level of production, there’s no doubt he could claim the title of the best American player in the NBA. However, aiming to be the best in the league overall might be a more fitting goal as he strives to lead the Celtics to the Larry O’Brien trophy after over a decade of anticipation. To achieve this, he’ll need to outshine frontrunners for the MVP award, Jokic, and Embiid.