In a season many saw as a ‘gap year’ for the Boston Celtics as their star forward Jayson Tatum recovers from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, Tatum’s costar on the wing Jaylen Brown has been helping the Celtics exceed expectations with his Most Valuable Player-level play, not everyone is a believer in the Georgia native as a serious threat to win MVP.
And Hall of Fame Celtics forward Paul Pierce has his own theory as to why this is the case, which he shared on a recent guest appearance on the “No Fouls Given” podcast hosted by fellow former NBAer Danny Green and cohost Big Wos. Asked why Brown was not being seen as in the hunt for the award by the national media, Pierce replied “because everybody hates the Celtics … no, seriously!
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“Nobody had the Celtics being in third place in the East with no Tatum,” said the 2008 champion forward. “The guy is putting up 30 consistently.”
Dec 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
“Everybody’s talking about (Detroit Pistons star) Cade Cunningham,” added Pierce. “I get it. They’re number one. Everybody’s talking about (San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama).”
“I get it. And obviously (Oklahoma City Thunder star) Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander), and (Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic), but this guy has to get some type of recognition. I mean, this guy is a 30-point walking bucket, and he should be in there.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Paul Pierce thinks Celtics star Jaylen Brown deserves to be in MVP race