Although his odds are dwindling, Jaylen Brown has maintained some public backing in the NBA MVP race.
Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser discussed the MVP field on Tuesday's "Pardon The Interruption." The veteran ESPN personalities each leaned toward Brown as their current pick, via Awful Announcing, but Wilbon didn't argue for the Boston Celtics star over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Victor Wembanyama with much conviction.
"I have a vote on this, and I will tell you this. It's tightened up," Wilbon said. "My vote, and I'm not even sure the order, I think it's Jaylen Brown one. I think it's SGA two, and I think it's Victor three. And then don't talk to me about a guy who plays half the court, Luka Doncic."
However, Wilbon would move Wembanyama to first place if the San Antonio Spurs surpass the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Spurs trail the Thunder by three games before OKC plays Boston on Wednesday night.
Wilbon credited Brown for galvanizing the Celtics, who rank second in the Eastern Conference at 47-24 despite only recently welcoming back Jayson Tatum from an Achilles tear.
"He's leading that team," Wilbon said.
Kornheiser doesn't have a vote, but he would place Brown atop his hypothetical ballot.
"If I had a vote today, I would vote for Jaylen," Kornheiser said.
"But you know it can change in a week," Wilbon replied.
"Yes," Kornheiser agreed. "Because Jaylen Brown has been so resolute and dependable in the absence of Jayson Tatum."
While Wilbon and Kornheiser appear to see a wide-open race, oddsmakers project an easier call. Gilgeous-Alexander is an overwhelming -900 favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook to repeat as MVP.
At +20000, Brown is an astronomical long shot behind Doncic (+1000), Wembanyama (+1200) and Nikola Jokic (+7500). He's averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Brown's MVP case may rely on him leading the Celtics to a statement win over Gilgeous-Alexander's Thunder on Wednesday night. The marquee matchup tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.
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