The MVP race has been heating up the past few weeks. For most of the season, Russell Westbrook and his once-in-a-lifetime statistical feats have been neck-and-neck with James Harden and his equally-outlandish numbers. But other players have joined the fray recently as well. Kawhi Leonard threw his hat in the ring last week when he used his dominant two-way powers to single-handedly seal a win over the Rockets.

Everyone has their own criteria for what makes an MVP, some more rational than others (we’re looking at you, Mark Cuban), and there’s always a certain amount of subjectivity that creeps in. So it wasn’t that surprising when Celtics legend Ray Allen revealed his choice for the Maurice Podoloff trophy during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday.

“Right now, I’d have to say Isaiah Thomas,” Allen said. “I like Isaiah, and I’m biased because it is Boston. He’s done a tremendous amount for that team for them to be where they are in the Eastern Conference and them playing the type of basketball that they’re playing. They look like they’re definitely gonna have a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, for sure. And then you take him off that roster and I don’t know how successful they would be. Even though they have a lot of good talent on that team, he’s definitely the spark, the engine that makes their team go.”

Well, at least he acknowledges his bias. To be fair, Thomas certainly belongs in the conversation, albeit as a peripheral figure. He’s been the best crunch-time performer all season long, but he’s also among the absolute worst defenders in the league at his or any position. Still, props to Mr. Shuttlesworth for sticking up for his guy.