Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is having one of the best seasons of his career, helping lead Boston to the top of the Eastern Conference and positioning the team as legitimate title contenders heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs. As the Celtics aim for another deep postseason run, Brown himself is building a case for Finals MVP if Boston finishes the job. Brown names his current starting five, leaving out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic.
While Brown has made headlines for his on-court play, he also drew attention recently for his comments off the court—specifically, during a guest appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast. In a segment where he was asked to name his ideal starting five of current NBA players.
“I’m going to go Ant Man [Anthony Edwards] at the two,” Brown said. “I’m going to go KD [Kevin Durant] at the three, LeBron at the four, and I’m going to go Wemby [Victor Wembanyama] at the five. Who’s the point? I’m going to go Steph. I think he’s the greatest point guard of all time.”
Brown clarified he couldn’t pick any of his current Celtics teammates—or himself—but the most surprising part of his list was the absence of two of this season’s biggest names: reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Brown’s reasoning was largely strategic, highlighting Steph Curry’s floor spacing and game-changing gravity. “Obviously, point guard has evolved. It’s not just about setting guys up anymore,” Brown added. “But the way Curry shoots the three—if he’s on the floor, it opens up the game for everybody else.”
Brown praises LeBron’s longevity
During the same podcast appearance, the Celtics player also gave flowers to Lakers icon LeBron James, applauding the 40-year-old for defying time and expectation in the NBA.
“Maybe it’s because we live in the troll era, but that man has superpowers,” Brown said. “To be 6’9”, 270 pounds, and still doing what he’s doing after 21 seasons—it doesn’t even make sense. Super speed, super athleticism, super vision. He sees the game like a savant. He can be a coach on the floor and a player at the same time.”
Shaq weighs in on LeBron and today’s NBA
LeBron’s longevity has become a frequent talking point around the league—and Shaquille O’Neal chimed in on the subject during a recent episode of his The Big Podcast. The Hall of Famer believes the modern NBA’s less physical style has played a major role in extending players’ careers.
“Definitely,” Shaq responded when asked if the softer game has helped LeBron. “Right now, you get a flagrant foul, you get fined and suspended. Guys ain’t even fouling hard anymore. Before I played, it was crazy. And even when I did, it was still physical. In the ’80s and ’90s, it was another level.”