One award that often flies under the radar when discussing the best players in today’s game is the All-NBA Team selection. The All-Star nod usually gets more attention on the imaginary list of accolades, but the reality is that All-NBA is the ultimate recognition for an excellent season.
Derrick White, the Boston Celtics guard often considered one of the best role players in the NBA, recently shared his picks for the All-NBA First Team on The White Noise podcast, and one name stood out in particular.
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“I mean, probably [Nikola] Jokic, Giannis [Antetokounmpo], that’s probably the obvious ones,” White said. “Luka Doncic, Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander], and Jaylen Brown.”
Brown has averaged over 20 points per game for six straight seasons
Most fans will agree with the first four, who have practically become regulars on that list in recent years, and Joel Embiid would undoubtedly be in the mix as well when fully healthy. What’s also interesting is that White’s list didn’t include any of his Team USA teammates with whom he won gold at the 2024 Olympics – LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant. Even though all three are well past 35, they still statistically dominate the league.
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As for Jaylen Brown, despite having an NBA championship, Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and Finals MVP awards to his name, he has only made the All-NBA Second Team once in his career, even though he’s averaged over 20 points per game for six straight seasons while consistently competing for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Is Brown really that underrated, or is it just a matter of perception? Maybe this season will provide the answer. With Jayson Tatum out for the entire season and key championship pieces like Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet gone, Brown will face the reality of being the No. 1 option for the first time in his career.
Many fans still don’t view Brown as anywhere close to the best players in the game
From that perspective, White’s statement makes sense. But at the same time, with Boston weaker compared to previous season, team success, or lack thereof, could cost him that spot. As for his status in the league, many fans still don’t view him as anywhere close to the best players in the game, but ESPNs Rachel Nichols recently reminded everyone why Brown deserves more respect.
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“Look at that team, which I know has made some cuts under the apron, but Jaylen Brown won the Finals MVP, a year and two months ago. It was not a fluke. He won the Conference Finals MVP,” Nichols said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “I understand he is not Tatum. I don’t think that argument is that close. I think Tatum is an underrated player.”
“As highly as people think of him, as much as he’s been an MVP finalist, I think he is underrated and undervalued for what he’s done… But let’s not pretend he’s not one of the better players in the NBA,” she added.
Brown’s Finals MVP was no fluke
Many have tried to dismiss his Finals MVP, but someone like Larry Bird also didn’t win Finals MVP every time the Celtics took home the title, and nobody ever doubted who the leader of that team was. While Tatum is clearly the Celtics leader, the fact that Brown also won the ECF MVP in that same season shows his consistency and proves the Finals MVP was no fluke.
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Don’t be surprised if White’s prediction comes true and Brown ends up on the All-NBA First Team at season’s end alongside the game’s biggest names. He’s already proven that he is capable of reaching those heights.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.