Now in his eighth career season, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown has gone from being a raw high-flyer with defensive upside to an elite two-way player.
Having developed as much as any player, the three-time All-Star’s growth is a testament to his dedication to improvement. Every offseason, it’s seemed like Brown has come back with a new or improved offensive skill. His training also enhances his conditioning, often an undiscussed aspect of being relied upon at both ends.
Jaylen Brown Earns High Praise for Post-All-Star Surge
63 games into the 2023-24 season, Brown’s averaging 23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on a career-high 50.4 percent shooting from the field.
He’s been even better since the All-Star Break. In 13 games, Brown’s averaging 28.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 54.3 percent shooting from the field. A key difference has been his efficiency from beyond the arc, with Brown shooting 41.4 percent from 3 in his past 13 games. In the 50 games preceding All-Star Weekend, Brown shot just 34.2 percent from 3.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praises Brown’s evolution and not just because he’s improved his numbers.
“I’ve just seen great stuff. I love just the way he’s carrying himself out there on the court,” Mazzulla says, per NBC Sports Boston’s Justin Leger. “He’s processing each and every possession on both ends of the floor… taking the shots that he wants… making plays for himself, for his teammates.”
“It’s been an honor to coach him,” Mazzulla finishes. “He’s been playing just well-rounded basketball on both ends, so it’s been fun to watch.”
Two-Way Playmaker
The scoring will be focused on because it’s the most popular action in sports. Whether it’s basketball, football, soccer, hockey, or boxing, point totals determine winners and losers. As a result, their value is easily seen.
Nonetheless, Brown’s two-way playmaking complements his ability to put points on the board. As defenses work harder to stop him, his ability to make plays for his teammates greases the wheels of Boston’s offense. It makes the Celtics more difficult to guard, another potential hole boarded up.
In terms of actually playing defense himself though? Well, Brown is one of the best there is at any position. He’s just as explosive, physical, and determined at that end as he is on offense. His basketball IQ shines when he’s tracking the ball in passing lanes as much as when he’s initiating the offense and setting up a play for his teammate to score.
“It’s fun. It’s like a game of chess,” Brown says of playing defense. “… Always gives you good information.”
Celtics face of the franchise Jayson Tatum believes “it’s powerful” to watch Brown set the tone defensively, per SB Nation’s Jack Simone.
“What that does for our team. How much better it makes us. Seeing him take the challenge of guarding the best guard on the team, picking them up full court, [and] chasing him around all night, it has an impact on the rest of the team and really gives everybody else no excuses, right?” — Jayson Tatum
“… He can do that all night while still trying to be effective on the offensive end,” Tatum muses. “It’s nothing short of special.”
As Brown chased eight-time All-Star, Damian Lillard, around during the Celtics’ win over the rejuvenated Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Mazzulla believes his “mindset and intensity to start the game was kind of what kept [the Celtics] connected throughout the game.”
Brown is a leader. On the court. In the locker room. In the community as well. Having proven himself to be one of the most impactful players in the Celtics’ storied history, he’s been a shamrock for Boston, and they’re lucky to have him.
