Paul Pierce: Jaylen Brown not in NBA MVP conversation because everyone hates Celtics

Jaylen Brown keeps doing his job. Paul Pierce thinks that might be part of the problem.

Asked why Brown’s name hasn’t shown up more often in MVP conversations, Pierce didn’t dance around it.

“Because everybody hates the Celtics,” Pierce said, via Sportando. “No, seriously.”

Pierce’s point wasn’t just about perception. It was about context. With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Boston wasn’t supposed to be here. Yet the Celtics sit third in the East, and Brown has carried a massive share of the load.

“Nobody had the Celtics being third in the East with no Tatum,” Pierce said. “And this guy is putting up 30 consistently.”

Brown’s case isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t fit neatly into the league’s usual MVP narratives. He’s not redefining the position. He’s not chasing triple-doubles. He’s just scoring. A lot. Night after night. And doing it while the Celtics have had to rewire their offense on the fly.

Pierce acknowledged the usual MVP headliners — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama — but argued that doesn’t excuse Brown being an afterthought.

“He’s a 30-point walking bucket,” Pierce said. “He has to get some type of recognition.”

Brown may not win the award. But Pierce’s point is clear: If value matters, and circumstances matter, Brown should at least be in the conversation.