Jaylen Brown dominates for 50 points in a runaway win vs. the Clippers.<\/p>\n
Welcome to the MVP discussion, Jaylen Brown.<\/p>\n
Really, it\u2019s that simple of an announcement, although a bit understated compared to the noise Brown has made all season, but especially lately.<\/p>\n
Before he erupted a handful of times and elevated the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference and made a stirring case for higher inclusion in the Kia Race to the MVP chase, Brown was best known for:<\/p>\n
Winning NBA Finals MVP (a fairly historical award). And now? Brown is making a name for himself as a team-hauling, impeccable two-way player who this week executed a triple-jump on the MVP ladder. He\u2019s now sitting at No. 3.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a deserving rise and puts him among the game\u2019s greats because Brown lately is doing what MVPs do \u2014 scoring in bunches, doing other things (defensively, in his case) to impact games and helping his team win. Brown is playing without Tatum and therefore has added responsibilities and there\u2019s no reasonable debate why Brown shouldn\u2019t be this high on the ladder and this deep in the discussion.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery night he\u2019s one of the best players in this game,\u201d said teammate Derrick White.<\/p>\n Brown was a fixture on the Ladder for much of the season anyway, helped partly by his 42-point output in a win over the Knicks last month. And then his 50-point demolition of the Clippers (and while matched up with Kawhi Leonard) last weekend is what catapulted him towards the top.<\/p>\n Some context, though: Brown is a turnover machine (No. 4 in the NBA) and the Celtics are playing the soft segment of their schedule. Additionally, Brown needs to demonstrate he can do this over the course of an entire season to finish as a top-two or three MVP candidate.<\/p>\n Still, so far, it\u2019s a career year, statement-maker and a next-level performance that\u2019s rewriting the script on his reputation. And it\u2019s a season you rarely see from players who are the No. 2 option. Suddenly, Brown is showing he can comfortably grab the mic and be the lead singer.<\/p>\n So, it\u2019s time to show respect for the grind and the results so far. The campaign has begun, and the shifting MVP Ladder has an update: Other contenders are being moved down to make room for Jaylen Brown.<\/p>\n Setting the stage this week: The best theatre in the NBA this season has been the Spurs vs. Thunder, and once again, for the fourth time, it\u2019s back on. What possibly can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander do on Tuesday to prevent the defending champs from going 0-4 against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs? If the Spurs win again, you wonder how that might influence Gilgeous-Alexander\u2019s spot on the Ladder.<\/p>\n The stat to know: Gilgeous-Alexander has the following no-turnover games this season: 46 points, 38 points, 35 points, 31 points, 30 points and 22 points, along with a one-turnover 40-piece.<\/p>\n What they are saying: \u201cHe should just be talking about who\u2019s the best player in the NBA right now. That\u2019s the type of basketball Jaylen Brown\u2019s been playing. I\u2019m not sure how he hasn\u2019t moved into the top three of MVP voting.\u201d \u2014 Warriors forward Draymond Green on Brown<\/p>\n 1. Nikola Joki\u0107, Denver Nuggets<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s ranking: <\/a>No. 1 \u2194\ufe0f His case: Wait \u2014 he\u2019s still sitting on top? Is this a typo, a mistake? No and no. There\u2019s one assessment we can and should make regarding Joki\u0107, and it is this: Nobody was having a better and more dominant season than the Serbian center before he pulled up injured. He leads the league in triple-doubles and double-doubles. Now ask yourself \u2014 has anyone come along since and done better overall, not just after Joki\u0107 was injured, but from opening night until now? Thought so.<\/p>\n Joki\u0107 remains No. 1 until then, or until he\u2019s mathematically ineligible for MVP consideration for failing to meet the 65-game requirement. Neither has happened \u2026 yet.<\/p>\n 2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s ranking:<\/a> No. 2 \u2194\ufe0f His case: Gilgeous-Alexander remains a highly efficient, low-mistake star whose offensive skills are unmatched by most. This includes his 3-point shooting; while Shai is mainly a mid-range maestro, he\u2019s connecting from deep at 40%.<\/p>\n That said, while Gilgeous-Alexander still has OKC in the top spot in the West, the Thunder aren\u2019t crushing the opposition anymore. He needed 46 points on Wednesday (and a big shot to force OT) to keep OKC from losing to 12-24 Utah, two nights after OKC lost to Charlotte. Other than scoring, winning is Shai\u2019s biggest argument in the MVP race.<\/p>\n 3. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s ranking:<\/a> No. 7 \u2b06\ufe0f His case: He\u2019s the biggest reason for the Celtics still being a contender despite the absence of Tatum. Brown is among the league\u2019s scoring leaders and his current scoring average is among the most in a season (so far) in Celtics history. Yes, that includes Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, Paul Pierce and Tatum.<\/p>\n What\u2019s more, his playmaking is improved and his defense is up to his high standards. The last time he looked this dominant for a stretch was when he won the 2024 Finals MVP<\/a>. Apparently, he\u2019s still \u2018That Guy.\u2019<\/p>\n 4. Luka Don\u010di\u0107, Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s ranking:<\/a> No. 3 \u2b07\ufe0f His case: The league\u2019s scoring leader<\/a> has a string of five straight games of 30-plus points and continues to set this season\u2019s scoring standard. He\u2019s also among the assist leaders<\/a> and while there\u2019s an undercurrent of whining about his defense, Don\u010di\u0107 is leading the Lakers in steals, so there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n His biggest issue, actually, is turnovers, as he leads the league in that category too. It\u2019s very anti-Gilgeous-Alexander \u2014 a byproduct of ball-domination. While the bouts of carelessness don\u2019t reflect especially well on Don\u010di\u0107, it hasn\u2019t cost the Lakers in the standings, either.<\/p>\n 5. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s ranking:<\/a> No. 5 \u2194\ufe0f
\nBeing perhaps the best Jaylen or Jalen in the NBA<\/a> (a very strong competition when you think about it).
\nA well-rounded and smart guy (he\u2019ll remind you he went to Cal-Berkeley).
\nRiding shotgun to Jayson Tatum (which isn\u2019t a disrespectful designation).<\/p>\n
Season stats:<\/a> 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11 assists<\/p>\n
Season stats: <\/a>31.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists<\/p>\n
Season stats:<\/a> 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists<\/p>\n
Season stats: <\/a>33.7 points, 8 rebounds, 8.8 assists<\/p>\n
Season stats:<\/a> 24.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks<\/p>\n