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, āit’s not all about points. It’s not all about pointsā, so let’s look at some of the other stuff….Half of Brownās 8 assists were to Tatum and three of Tatumās 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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Mazz's Tiers: Most feared Boston opponents
Tier 1
NEW YORK – APRIL 21: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees in the field against the Oakland Athletics on April 21, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
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
Tier 2
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 16: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates a three pointer against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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
Tier 3
DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat celebrates making a basket against the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on March 07, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Andrew Toney – Philadelphia 76ers
Jimmy Butler – Miami Heat
Braden Holtby – Washington Capitals
