Gasper: Jaylen Brown is my MVP of the NBA Finals

Chris Gasper of The Boston Globe joined Felger and Mazz on Friday to discuss the latest with the Boston Celtics. Gasper gave his MVP of the Finals and also discussed what he thinks is the biggest storyline of the NBA Finals for the Celtics.

Chris Gasper: Yes, Jaylen Brown is my MVP. And it's not just based on the offensive production, I think the defensive production as well. In game three you had one of these flying out of nowhere blocks to block a three pointer. I think what he's giving you on both ends and just sort of the consistency, the 24 point second-half, the big shot you guys played, I would say right now he is my MVP for the finals. I don't think that's the biggest story, though. For me the biggest story coming out of this finals, and it does apply to game three, that was the first game of the playoffs that Brown and Tatum each scored thirty points in the same game. And if you look if you look at the way those guys played, because we've heard a lot this postseason about, “it's not all about points. It's not all about points”, so let's look at some of the other stuff....Half of Brown’s 8 assists were to Tatum and three of Tatum’s 5 assists were to Brown. I think the biggest storyline is we can finally put to rest, basketball-wise, the idea or the notion that these guys can't play together, that they can't bring out the best in each other, that you're not going to win with them.  

Chris Gasper: As we've seen with the Patriots, and I think you saw it a little bit with the Warriors as well, after you win it's a little bit different in terms of the interpersonal relationships, but we'll worry about that down the road and hopefully another title from now it's multiple titles. But for now, I thought game three, the way they played and the way they embraced after the game, the way they talked about each other after the game, I think it puts to rest the idea from a basketball standpoint, and at least a team building standpoint, that they can't function together.  

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It’s time for the latest edition of Mazz’s Tiers! With the Boston Celtics getting set to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, Mazz ranks some of the most feared opponents in Boston sports history. 

But before the Tiers, here’s a look at who could appear on the list....

The New England Patriots faced the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI and lost both of them. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was the MVP of both of those Super Bowl victories over the Patriots. The Head Coach of those Giants Super Bowl winning teams was Tom Coughlin. 

Mariano Rivera played 19 seasons in the MLB, all of them as a member of the New York Yankees. Rivera won 5 World Series titles during his time in the MLB and has the most saves in the history of the MLB with 652. 

Guy Lafleur played 17 seasons in the NHL, 14 of them as a member of the Montreal Canadiens. During that time he won 5 Stanley Cups as a member of the club. 

Luka Doncic will be making his NBA Finals debut in the 2024 Finals for the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic is in his 6th season in the NBA, all of them as a member of the Mavericks. 

Matthew Tkachuk was drafted 6th overall in 2016 by the Calgary Flames. Following the 2021-22 NHL season he was traded to the Florida Panthers. Tkachuk has played a pivotal role in getting the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2023 and 2024. 

LeBron James is the NBA”s All-Time leading scorer with 40,474 points and counting. James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers during his time in the NBA. He is a four time NBA Champion, winning twice with the Heat and once a piece with the Cavaliers and Lakers. 

Derek Jeter - New York Yankees

Tom Coughlin - New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars

Eli Manning - New York Giants

Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers

Ray Lewis - Baltimore Ravens

Guy Lafleur - Montreal Canadiens

Ken Dryden - Montreal Canadiens

Pat Riley - Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat

Patrick Roy - Montreal Canadiens

Dave Stewart - Oakland Athletics

Matthew Tkachuk - Florida Panthers

Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos

Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers

Don Shula - Miami Dolphins

Mariano Rivera - New York Yankees

Patrick Mahomes - Kansas City Chiefs

Andy Reid - Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs

Mike Shanahan - Denver Broncos

Lebron James - Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat

Steph Curry - Golden State Warriors

Luka Doncic - Dallas Mavericks

Andrew Toney - Philadelphia 76ers

Jimmy Butler - Miami Heat

Braden Holtby - Washington Capitals