The most recent Kia NBA MVP Ladder was released on Friday, January 9th. A new face has broken into the top five spots, jumping from number seven all the way into the top three. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has leapfrogged Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Victor Wembanyama, and Luka Doncic to reach the third spot.
Latest NBA MVP Ladder Lists Celtics Superstar Third
In the previous NBA MVP ladder, Brown did not qualify for the top five despite carrying the Celtics to a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference. He replaced Brunson and kicked Doncic down a spot in order to enter the top three. This recognition is well deserved following an incredible month of basketball and a 50-point performance in the second game of the New Year. The voters are starting to realize they did, in fact, snub Brown from winning the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award for December.
Nearly halfway through the NBA season, Jaylen Brown continues to pick up steam and shut down his critics. Multiple career highs for Brown showcase his abilities as an offensive threat in tandem with his defensive tenacity. The increased usage rate for Brown does not seem to be a detriment to the team’s success. Quite the contrary! With Brown shooting four more two-pointers and two more free throws per contest, it only helps the team’s winning ways. The superstar is putting himself in legendary Celtics history as he enters the height of the NBA MVP ladder.
NBA.com states, “Brown is among the league’s scoring leaders and his current scoring average is among the most in a season (so far) in Celtics history.” He is scoring nearly thirty points per game in his thirty-five appearances this season. That number has only been eclipsed once in Celtics history. Brown’s teammate, Jayson Tatum, owns that Celtics record from his 2022-23 season with an average of 30.1 points per contest. So, there is a very realistic possibility that Brown steals this honor while Tatum is recovering from the torn Achilles he suffered in last season’s playoffs.
Looking Ahead – Can Brown’s Continued Success Withstand Tatum’s Return?
Boston came into the season with some doubts. Although the skepticism was valid due to his missing superstar running mate, it was still an oversight by many. There is a reason Brown won Finals MVP in 2024 and not Tatum. Brown has clearly improved since earning a championship ring. However, the question, older than time itself, remains. Will Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum be able to excel in tandem?
This version of Brown is not the same player that Tatum had played with prior to his injury. In the past, Tatum has been the primary scoring option while Brown has been Boston’s go-to lockdown defender. It’s possible the Celtics could have the two-way wings exchange these roles when Tatum returns.
There could be a multitude of reasons to explain such a decision. Although Celtics fans will be supportive of their co-superstars, this will be the key to watch. Considering Tatum will complete his recovery in the coming months, will it be detrimental to the team to assume he’ll reclaim the burden of carrying the offense? If Brown continues to perform at this level, then it may be better to let Tatum ease his way into the lineup.
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