Paul Pierce keeps making case for Jaylen Brown’s MVP candidacy

With Jayson Tatum now again within the fold, the Celtics have all of the makings of being a legit title contender in a wide-open Jap Convention as soon as postseason motion ramps up.

However, The Celtics at the moment sit in second place within the Jap Convention with a 47-23 report largely due to the stellar play of fellow Boston star ahead Jaylen Brown.

Thrust right into a featured position as Boston’s go-to scorer and chief following Tatum’s Achilles harm final Might and the lack of a number of starters through the offseason, Brown rose to the event.

By 63 video games to this point this season, Brown is averaging 28.5 factors, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per recreation — all career-highs for the 29-year-old wing — whereas additionally enjoying stout protection.

Celtics legend Paul Pierce harassed on Sunday that Brown stays a deserving candidate for league MVP honors this season.

“I believe Brown is having an MVP season,” Pierce stated after collaborating within the first-ever Causeway Basic occasion at TD Backyard. “I imply, not sufficient is being stated on how he’s held down the fort for just about all 12 months. … To have the ability to nonetheless elevate your recreation in your tenth 12 months is fairly wonderful, as a result of more often than not, guys are who they’re by the point they’re of their fourth, fifth 12 months.​

“However simply to see his maturation course of at this stage. And it’s simply unlucky that he’s not in MVP talks like he must be.”

This isn’t the primary time Pierce has harped on Brown’s standing as an MVP candidate. In January, Pierce in contrast the Celtics star to Rodney Dangerfield so far as the dearth of respect he receives from his friends.

​“I’ve been saying this about Jaylen Brown for years now,” Pierce said earlier this year during a recent appearance on “No Fouls Given.” “There’s not a greater two-way participant — I stated this about three or 4 years in the past — he’s the perfect two-way participant within the NBA. Now he’s with the ability to showcase his expertise on a complete new stage minus Jayson Tatum.”

Whereas the Celtics are primed for a promising playoff run within the subsequent few months, Pierce acknowledges that the team-wide success that Boston has achieved for the previous 20 years hasn’t all the time led to particular person recognition, even when it’s warranted.

​“I’m completely happy for them once they attain sure accomplishments,” Pierce stated of Tatum and Brown on Sunday. “At all times pulling for them within the media. Once I see issues that I don’t really feel are proper, as a result of I really feel like Boston gamers don’t get their simply due, for probably the most half.

​“Clearly, Brown not being within the Olympics, Tatum not getting the minutes. I’m all the time advocating and pushing for them and combating for them. In order that’s simply what it’s, and I like to see these guys achieve success.”

​So far as why gamers from the Celtics don’t all the time get their due? Pierce chalked it as much as the sustained stretch of success that Boston has achieved throughout the sports activities world for the reason that calendar flipped to a brand new millennium.

​“I imply, I’d be jealous if that they had every part,” Pierce stated. “We have now every part. We received probably the most championships. I imply, most likely the perfect sports activities metropolis in all of America. I imply, we’re. If you take a look at it from baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey. There’s gonna be some animosity there. Some resentment towards us.”

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.