When the NBA reveals its annual All-NBA teams, there’s always at least one player who fans, media, or their peers believe should have made the cut. This season, that distinction belongs to Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who is among the league’s best two-way players. To that point, not only was Brown snubbed from the 2023-24 All-NBA teams but the 2023-24 All-Defensive teams as well.
Within 36 hours, Brown hung up 40 points on the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He’s now the first player in franchise history to score at least 40 points in multiple Conference Finals games. In fact, only Michael Jordan and LeBron James have more 40-point games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Jaylen Brown Game.
Highlights of his beastly 40-point performance (with postgame interview): pic.twitter.com/CmbMurZm1f
— Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) May 24, 2024
Talk about elite company.
Jaylen Brown Has Strongly Worded Response to Being Underrated
Brown’s superhuman feats are arguably the primary reason the Celtics are up 2-0 against the Pacers this series. With that said, on the heels of his 40-point explosion, it seemed like a proper time to ask him: how does he feel about not making an All-NBA team?
“We’re two games from the (NBA) Finals,” Brown notes, “so honestly I don’t have the time to give a f***.”
Jaylen Brown on not making All NBA:
“We’re two games from the Finals, so I don’t have the time to give a fuck.” pic.twitter.com/vBJkWo14mO
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) May 24, 2024
Then asked if he gets any extra motivation from being underrated, he bluntly says:
“I mean, I watch guys get praised and anointed (who) I feel like are half as talented as me on either side of the ball.”
“But at this point in my life, I just embrace it. It comes with being who I am and what I stand for, and I ain’t really changing that.
Jaylen Brown on whether he feels underrated:
“I watch guys get praised and anointed who I feel are half as talented as me on either side of the ball. But at this point in my life, I just embrace it. It comes with being who I am and what I stand for, and I ain’t changing that.” pic.twitter.com/XIItRyRntO
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) May 24, 2024
…I’m grateful to step out on the floor each and every night, and put my best foot forward. I get better every single year. Whether people appreciate it or not, it is what it is.”
If walls could talk, they would echo Brown’s sentiments.
Work Hard, Play Hard
One of the hardest working players in the NBA, Brown has indeed improved every season.
Whether it’s catch-and-shoot 3s, pull-up jumpers, ball-handling, finishing, passing, or even defense, Brown just wants to get better. As dedicated to his craft as anyone, this alone should get him the same type of respect that players that Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard get. The fact that he plays as hard as he works makes his gumption even more endearing.
Instead, Brown faces an undue amount of criticism. Online trolls focus on lowlight reels of him using his non-dominant hand. The media questions his decision-making though he’s never averaged 3 (or more) turnovers per game and has a 1.5/1.0 assist-to-turnover ratio this season.
That said, these are Brown’s weaknesses. They’re just highlighted far more than his many strengths.
It’s honestly a shame.
Nonetheless, while he may not be getting the respect he deserves from outside, he does get it from his teammates and coaching staff. Most importantly, Brown’s self-assured. Outside validation is always nice, but he doesn’t need it.
