NBA TV’s Jared Greenberg Breaks Down MVP Voting Process
On Thursday night, the NBA announced the finalists for all of the award categories”Inside The NBA” on TNT. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the finalists for MVP are Nikola Jokić, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid.
If you asked Haywood, the runaway MVP is Nikola Jokic, but earlier this season, he detailed how he could win the award.
“I’m going to say this, and I think more people should feel this one. It is not the sexy pick; it is not the name people want to see; his game is not flashy. If the Denver Nuggets finish in the top three in the west, and Joker’s number, they like this where he is average 26 [points], 12 [rebounds], and 9 [assists}. He should be the MVP,” said Haywood.
TNT’s Jared Greenberg is a voting media member. He was a guest on Instagram Live with Brendan Haywood and Ryan Hollins on Wednesday evening. During his appearance, Greenberg broke down the voting process.
“Here’s the thing, though, and Brendan hates to have this conversation. When voting for MVP, you have to fill out five lines. So, when we talk about the conversation, I am always trying to figure it out because the ballots are transparent. People will be able to see how I voted actually one through five. So, I get [push back] because I put somebody on the five-line, and they wanted to be on the four-line. It is so dumb the way this stuff works. That is why this conversation is so intense as it is, but I will say this what [Steph] Curry did the last couple of weeks of the season did make me put him in the top five,” said Greenberg.
“So, I filled my ballot out on Sunday and didn’t submit it until Monday because we had to put it in. And initially, I had Julius Randle and I put Curry in instead of Randle at number five. But, the funny thing about LeBron and I give him a lot of credit. He is the smartest superstar of all-time. This dude is setting the narrative to go either way. Either tonight he beats the MVP of the league and he overcame that, or if he loses, he lost to the MVP of the league. It is brilliant how LeBron does this stuff.”
They would go on to talk about how Stephen Curry’s national attention can actually sway votes away from Jokic despite him actually having a better overall season than Steph.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
