Like the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James has his own beef with the Boston Celtics dating back to his time in the Eastern Conference.
James and the Celtics faced off numerous times in the playoffs, with the former gaining the upper hand as a member of the Miami Heat. However, James later saw the rise of the Celtics, most notably Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who have become the best wing tandem in the league.
Tatum has been out for the 2025-26 season due to an Achilles injury, leaving Brown to lead Boston. So far, he’s done an excellent job keeping them atop the Eastern Conference and put on a show against Los Angeles.
The Lakers lost to the Celtics 111-89 and afterward James gave Brown his credit for taking his game to the next level.
“I think he’s just used the motivation of a lot of people saying that they’re gonna have a down year because of obviously [Jayson Tatum] being out, them losing Jrue (Holiday), Al (Horford), (Kristaps) Portzingis, their whole championship team pretty much has kind of revamped. He used it at motivation to keep them afloat. They’re playing great basketball and it’s because of him and the rest of those guys. He’s taken that next step,” he said.
James also noted that he and Brown have a solid relationship despite the latter’s comments about his son Bronny James when he was sitting courtside at a Summer League game in 2024.
“Our relationship has been pretty respectful, besides the shit he said about Bronny at Summer League. But other than that, we’ve be alright. We’ll be alright. I think he went on social media and said something about it, it’s all good. Bronny got a lot way to go, but that’s another story.”
Ultimately, James said he thinks Brown should be in the MVP conversation and wondered aloud why his name isn’t brought up more.
“He’s playing great basketball… This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some as well,” James said. “Nobody gave them a shot to start the season, and he’s averaging like what, 30? Just under 30. It’s a popularity contest sometimes… I don’t know the criteria of MVP anymore. I stopped giving a damn about it a long time ago. I got my own personal issues about it.”
Jaylen Brown responds to praise from LeBron James
Brown heard James’ comments an expressed his gratitude to receive such high praise from the Lakers star.
“I’m grateful. It’s an honor to play in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. It’s an honor for LeBron, who’s arguably the best player to ever play the game, giving me some high praise. So, I’m just grateful. I wake up every morning grateful (and) humbled.”
Brown is clearly able to lead a team to victory, something James has to respect as a fellow competitor. Unfortunately, though, it looks like Los Angeles has a ways to go to catch up to a team like Boston.
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