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Dave McMenamin
Multiple authors
LOS ANGELES — After the Celtics beat the Lakers 111-89 on Sunday, fueled by Jaylen Brown’s 32 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals, he earned an MVP endorsement from the other side of the Boston-Los Angeles rivalry.
Four-time MVP LeBron James said he believes Brown has a case this season to get his first win.
“This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name isn’t being talked about as well,” James said. “Nobody gave them a chance to start the season. And they’re averaging 30? Just under 30? It’s a popularity contest sometimes, I’m telling you.”
The win over the Lakers raised Boston’s record to 37-19, second best in the Eastern Conference.
Brown entered Sunday averaging career highs in points (29.2), rebounds (7.0) and assists (4.8).
James said Brown deserves attention given how competitive the Celtics have been despite missing Jayson Tatum all season while recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon and losing Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis from the 2024 championship team.
“I think he used the motivation of a lot of people who said they were going to have a bad year,” James said. “Pretty much the entire championship team has been revamped, and he’s used that as motivation to keep them alive. They’re playing great basketball, and it’s because of him and the rest of these guys. He’s taken the next step.”
Brown said he tries not to pay too much attention to the criticism or praise that comes his way, but he presented his credentials for the award as he saw it.
“I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world,” Brown said. “I play on both ends of the court. I’m available night in and day out, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help lead my team, I enable my team to go out and play with confidence, things that don’t always show up in analytics. And I’m a winner. I go out and try to win every night. So I’m grateful.”
“It’s an honor to play the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s a huge honor for LeBron, who is arguably the best player to ever play this game, and he’s given me some high praise. So, I’m just grateful.”
James and Brown were teammates on the USA Stripes’ All-Star team earlier this month.
Brown said it allowed him and James to reconnect over an interaction they shared when Brown was a freshman.
“When I first got into the league, my first start was against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and after the game he came up to me and said in my ear, ‘You’re going to be an All-Star one day, you’re going to be a great player,’” Brown said. “So, we talked about that at the All-Star game. “Do you remember that 10 years ago?” “Of course, I’m not surprised by anything you’re doing now,” he smiles. “So keep proving people wrong. Keep doing what you gotta do and keep leading your team and people will take notice.”
Brown said there was more that he and James talked about, but he wouldn’t share it.
He may have been referring to the way he was caught on camera at a 2024 Las Vegas Summer League game questioning Bronny James’ credentials as a pro while sitting on the court.
“Our relationship was very respectful, besides what he said about Bronny in Summer League,” James said of Brown. “But other than that, other than that we were fine.”
Brown later addressed his thoughts on Bronny, sharing on social media: “It’s resilient to have your son by your side in the NBA. … Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I’m looking forward to watching his growth.”
James said he and Brown “will be fine.”
“I think he went on social media and said something about it,” James said. “It’s all good, but Bronny’s got a long way to go, but that’s another story. But the kid, I mean, listen, JB’s doing a (great) job. S—, he’s playing great basketball, man.”
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne contributed to this report.
