The Best Two-Way Player in Basketball Is Writing His Own Story
Jaylen Brown isn’t just having a career year—he’s orchestrating one of the most complete basketball performances the league has seen in 2025-26. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by injury, Brown has elevated his game to MVP-caliber levels, averaging 29.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while leading the Boston Celtics to a 24-13 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Why Brown Deserves MVP Consideration Now
Elite Scoring With Defensive Dominance
Brown’s offensive explosion tells only half the story. He’s currently the fourth-leading scorer in the NBA, but what separates him from other MVP candidates is his elite two-way impact. According to tracking data, Brown holds opponents to just 39.37 percent shooting as the closest defender—ranking second among all qualified players this season.
Hall of Famer Chris Bosh recently declared Brown should be the MVP frontrunner, and the numbers back it up. NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins echoed this sentiment, stating Brown is doing more with less than any other candidate.
Carrying the Load Without Star Help
Unlike other MVP contenders surrounded by All-Star teammates, Brown has transformed the Celtics into Eastern Conference contenders with a supporting cast that includes Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Anfernee Simons. This isn’t a super team—it’s Brown’s show, and he’s delivering night after night.
The 2024 Finals MVP has posted multiple 50-point performances this season, including a career-tying 50-point explosion against the Clippers while simultaneously locking down Kawhi Leonard on defense. This is what elite two-way basketball looks like.
Building a Celtics Legacy
At 29 years old, Brown is cementing himself as one of the all-time great Celtics. His current scoring average ranks among the highest in franchise history—yes, that includes Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, and John Havlicek. Recently, Wheeler High School retired his jersey in his hometown of Marietta, Georgia—a reminder that Brown’s legacy extends beyond NBA courts.
Brown already has an NBA championship and Finals MVP trophy in his collection. An MVP award would validate what many already know: Jaylen Brown has evolved from Jayson Tatum’s co-star into one of basketball’s most dominant forces.
The MVP Case Gets Stronger
With Nikola Jokić sidelined by injury and other contenders struggling with availability issues, Brown’s durability becomes even more valuable. He’s appeared in 33 of Boston’s first 35 games while maintaining elite production on both ends.
Warriors forward Draymond Green summed it up perfectly when discussing Brown’s play: “That’s the type of basketball where he should just be talking about who’s the best player in the NBA right now.”
The Bottom Line – he’s a DAWG
Jaylen Brown is the MVP frontrunner because he’s doing what most players can’t—dominating offensively while defending at an All-NBA level, all while carrying an undermanned roster to championship contention. This isn’t just an MVP campaign. It’s legacy-building basketball from a player who’s proving he belongs in the conversation with the NBA’s absolute best.
The question isn’t whether Brown deserves MVP consideration—it’s whether voters will recognize that the best two-way player in basketball is having the most valuable season in the league.
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