Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is playing at an MVP level this season, and even former Celtics adversaries are admitting it.
One such player is former Cleveland Cavaliers wing Iman Shumpert, who appeared on ESPN's Get Up program on Tuesday and asserted that Brown is playing like an MVP.
"(There's) been an urgency this year (for Brown) because there were a lot of talks when Jayson Tatum went down that this team would have to deal with the roadblocks," Shumpert said.
"But I think he's taking it personal, and ... proving that he is a two-way player. He is a capable player down the stretch. He's been a capable player as far as ... being at the top of the scoring list the whole year," Shumpert continued.
"It's been overlooked because of some of the other success that you see around the league, but make no mistake, Jaylen Brown is the real deal," Shumpert added. "He can do it all ... and you start to see that the Celtics haven't really dropped off as much as you thought they would."
In 49 games this season, Brown is averaging 29.3 points per game (ranking fourth in the league) along with 6.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks. He's shooting 48.3% from the field and 34.8% from three, while converting 77.5% of his free throws.
He has strung together extended scoring streaks, including a 16-game run of 20+ points entering the All-Star break, and notched multiple 40-point outbursts, such as 41 against Atlanta in January and a 50-point game earlier in the season.
Brown also shone in the 2026 All-Star Game, contributing across the mini-game format with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, three blocks, and a steal. His consistent production has kept Boston competitive, sitting at 35-19 and in strong Eastern Conference position as the second half approaches.
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