Jaylen Brown got some love from Shams Charania on Friday.
The Boston Celtics enter Friday night's contest against the Brooklyn Nets at 27-16 and in second place in the Eastern Conference. While it's not a surprise to see the Celtics playing well, it is surprising to see this version of the Celtics surging.
After all, Boston lost Jayson Tatum during last year's playoffs to a torn Achilles that could cost him this entire campaign, and then they executed a financial reset by trading veteran leaders Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holliday.
Yet, here they are, better than the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and other usual contenders.
And part of the reason for that? The play of Jaylen Brown, who has elevated his game to the next level this season.
Brown, who just earned his first start in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game, is averaging 29.8 ppg and 6.7 rebounds. His 29.8 ppg are fourth-most in the NBA, behind only Luka Doncic (33.4), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.0), and Tyrese Maxey (30.1).
Speaking on Friday's edition of the 'Pat McAfee Show,' ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania said that Brown should be in the MVP conversation because of what he's done.
"You have to give Jaylen Brown a lot of credit. You think about MVP candidates, he has to be up there. He's going to be an all-NBA player. He's already been voted an All-Star starter. What he's been able to do to propel this team to a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference without Jayson Tatum...
Now in his 10th year in the NBA, Brown is a 19.6 ppg scorer for his career, often taking a secondary scoring role to guys like Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward and Tatum, but this year, he's stepped up his offensive production, and he's received praise for his leadership qualities as well.
Just recently, big man Luke Garza gave him credit in that department:
Per CLNS Celtics on social media:
Luka Garza: "He's more of a vocal leader than I thought he was ... pushing guys. You didn't see that from afar. I thought he was more of a reserved type."
The Celtics and Nets will tip off on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. Brooklyn enters play at 12-30, one of the worst teams in the entire league. The Celtics are being given a 75.5 percent chance to win by ESPN's matchup predictor, but the C's will be missing a few key players, including Derrick White.
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