Locked On Celtics – MVP: Can Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics Sustain Historic Scoring to Dominate the NBA?

Date: December 30, 2025
Host: John Karalis (Boston Sports Journal)
Guest: Tom Westerholm

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep dive into Jaylen Brown’s breakout season, as he racks up individual accolades and inserts himself into the MVP conversation. Host John Karalis and guest Tom Westerholm break down Brown’s historic scoring run, discuss whether this level of performance is sustainable (especially with Jason Tatum sidelined), and analyze the broader context of the Celtics’ season. Along the way, they explore the pressures and growth Brown has faced during his career, and what his evolution means for the team’s championship prospects.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jaylen Brown’s Awards & Record-Setting Play

• Player of the Week & Record Tying:

  • Brown has been named NBA Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks and is likely on his way to Player of the Month.
  • He tied Larry Bird’s franchise record with nine straight games of 30+ points—a feat that elevates his standing in Celtics lore.
  • "Whenever you do something that Larry Bird did and only Larry Bird did in Celtics history, it's like, okay, that's a really good thing because Larry Bird is the best." (John Corrales, 05:14)

• Improvements on the Court:

  • Brown is thriving as the #1 scoring option with Tatum out for most of the season.
  • All his shooting percentages are up across the court (restricted area, mid-range, three-point zones).
  • "Every zone that you can look at, he's just shooting so much better in all of these spots. The mid range shots are in that acceptable zone for the first time in his life." (Corrales, 10:37)

2. Is Jaylen Brown an MVP Candidate?

• The Meaning of ‘Valuable’:

  • Brown is sixth in the NBA in scoring (29.7 ppg), comparable to Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, Maxey, SGA, and Luka Doncic.
  • His value goes beyond the box score, driving the Celtics’ success in Tatum’s absence.
  • "When you take the word valuable at face value, right? ... It doesn’t get a whole lot more valuable than Jalen Brown." (Tom Westerholm, 09:50)

• Where Does He Rank?

  • While Jokic and SGA are the clear front-runners, Brown belongs in the next group for MVP conversation, not just as a token vote-getter.
  • "Jalen is one of those players... there’s going to be five, six, seven names that we can throw in there that have a case to be the third in the conversation." (Corrales, 09:22)

3. Sustainability of Brown’s Historic Scoring

• Is This Run Realistic Over a Full Season?

  • There is healthy skepticism: Could this be an extended hot streak, or has Brown fundamentally changed his game?
  • "Did he figure something out or is he on some sort of extended heater? We'll ... tackle that." (Corrales, 13:36)

• The Role of Confidence and Opportunity:

  • Westerholm suggests Brown’s comfort as the unquestioned #1 scoring option is fueling his run.
  • "What we are seeing is Jaylen Brown when he feels comfortable in that one, a role ... When you feel comfortable, it is a completely different game." (Westerholm, 16:40)
  • Karalis questions how this holds once Tatum returns and roles realign.

• Physical & Mental Toll:

  • Both hosts note the immense workload on Brown, especially as defenses focus on him.
  • "He's doing so much. He's carrying such a load. Can you do this for the whole season?" (Corrales, 22:25)
  • Comparable to a high-rep bench press: will fatigue set in, particularly during the ‘January doldrums’?

4. Team Dynamics & Supporting Cast

• The “1A” has been Brown, young players (like Ugo and Jordan Walsh) have stepped up, but there’s a lack of steady 1B or #2 options.
• "No one has shown up as a truly reliable guy to take the pressure. Everyone else has been... stretches ... of hit or miss." (Corrales, 26:09)
• Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have been inconsistent offensively, putting more pressure on Brown.

5. The January Test Looms

• The grueling January schedule with frequent games and few rest days will be the biggest challenge for Brown’s sustainability.
• "January is the doldrums... There's only one bit of two days off on the road between Indiana and Miami... Everything else is either back to backs, three games in four nights..." (Corrales, 29:15)
• The physical and mental exhaustion of the grind—and whether Brown can maintain his level—will be crucial for the team.

6. Brown’s Personal & Professional Evolution

• Karalis reflects on misjudging Brown’s ceiling early in his career; Brown has consistently broken through expectations.

• "What he's done is not normal. The level of improvement year in, year out." (Corrales, 31:11)

• Brown has handled adversity—some public, some private—with a determination that sets him apart.

• Brown’s Public Persona and Streaming:

  • Brown is more visible than ever through streaming and greater openness.
  • He has made some missteps (e.g., controversial language on streams), but continues to show growth and resilience.
  • "Sometimes you say things you don't realize and you have to apologize for it... Jalen has never been one to give in to distraction." (Corrales, 36:07)
  • His belief in things like astrology and numerology is discussed with good-natured skepticism but respect for his authenticity.

• Mental Freedom as a Key:

  • Both hosts agree that this 'free' season, post-championship, may be letting Brown play with less pressure—even as he carries a heavier load.
  • "This is a guy who's had so much weight on his shoulders for so much of his career ... All of a sudden, here's this freebie season ... What a fun night that would be. What a fun season this has been for Jaylen Brown." (Westerholm, 34:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tying Larry Bird:

  • "Whenever you do something that Larry Bird did and only Larry Bird did in Celtics history, it's like, okay, that's a really good thing because Larry Bird is the best." (Corrales, 05:14)

• On MVP Value:

  • "When you take the word valuable at face value, right?... It doesn’t get a whole lot more valuable than Jalen Brown." (Westerholm, 09:50)

• On Brown’s Comfort in the Alpha Role:

  • "We are seeing the comfort level that you get when you are a star player who is entrusted with the keys." (Westerholm, 16:44)

• On the Physical Demands:

  • "What Jalen Brown's brain is doing in that moment, calculating how hard he should shoot the ball ... it's a scientific formula that his brain is doing in an instant." (Corrales, 21:35)

• On Brown’s Growth:

  • "What he's done is not normal. The level of improvement year in, year out." (Corrales, 31:11)

• On Mental Freedom:

  • "Maybe he just feels freer to be himself. ... I'm free to be myself no matter what." (Westerholm, 36:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jaylen Brown’s Awards & Comparison to Larry Bird: 04:35 - 06:52
• How Valuable is Brown to the Celtics & MVP Talk: 08:44 - 10:28
• Breakdown of Brown’s Improved Shooting: 10:28 - 13:36
• Is This Sustainable? – Deep Dive Begins: 14:57 - 18:58
• Physical & Mental Toll of Workload: 18:58 - 22:25
• Supporting Cast Analysis: 26:08 - 28:33
• January Schedule & Upcoming Test: 28:33 - 30:35
• Reflections on Brown's Growth & Mindset: 31:10 - 34:37
• Discussion on Brown’s Streaming, Authenticity, and Public Challenges: 35:02 - 36:52

Closing Thoughts

Both Karalis and Westerholm are fascinated with Jaylen Brown’s journey this season: the remarkable leap, the historic scoring, the leadership under pressure, and the unique freedom Brown is showing on and off the court. Whether or not he maintains this MVP-level play, Brown has redefined his ceiling and changed the narrative about himself and the team. The coming months—especially January—will be a proving ground both for Brown’s endurance and for the Celtics’ aspirations.

Summary Tone: Insightful, slightly playful and conversational, with a deep respect for Brown’s achievements and honest acknowledgment of the challenges ahead.