How many team’s leading scorers are among their least discussed players in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs? This postseason, just one, as Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown had largely flown under the radar until yesterday.
Facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Brown set the tone for the Celtics, scoring their first seven points.
He finished the game with a team-high 32 points on 12-18 shooting from the field (4-6 from 3). The Cavs had no answer for him as Boston them by 25 points.
Jaylen Brown Flying Under the Radar
Brown is now averaging 24.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this postseason, shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3. He leads the team with his scoring average. Meanwhile, his field goal percentage, rebounding average and steal rate (1.3 percent) rank third among the team’s rotation players.
However, while his teammates performances are usually met with raucous applause, Brown has become Boston’s red-headed stepchild. To that point, Brown also led the team in scoring with 22.8 points per game on 52.2 percent shooting from the field in the First Round. You would never guess, as the storylines from that series focused on Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis.
Yet, Tatum made just 41.6 percent of his field goal attempts and 29.0 percent of his 3s. Porzingis averaged 12.3 points per game on 38.9 percent shooting from the field. White continued his stellar 2023-24 campaign, averaging 22.4 points and 1.0 block per game on .577-.477-.900 shooting splits. However, 60.0 percent of his field goals were assisted. Though that doesn’t take away from his impact, it shows that he has to do a bit less to get his points than Brown.
Why Isn’t He More Popular?
All of this begs the question: is Brown less popular than his teammates?
Sure, the Celtics fans and media like him. He’s level-headed, thoughtful, and engaging in interviews. He’s generous with both his time and money with regard to the Boston community. While many NBA stars adopt a rockstar persona, Brown is down-to-earth, hardly behaving like someone who has $129.5 million in career earnings (and counting). On the court, Brown has exceeded his pre-draft hype as an athletic wing with two-way upside, as he’s also grown into a featured scorer.
Yet, in the social media era, group think and viral posts prevail. So when a user splices together clips that show his tendency to turn the ball over with his non-dominant hand, those are among the first things people think of with Brown. When he signs a rich contract extension and then falters in the Eastern Conference Finals, his dominance up to that point in the playoffs is forgotten. In other words, the public perception of Brown is tied into sensationalized moments rather than his entire body of work.
Does He Need His Own Team?
Public opinion might change organically if Brown excels in the Conference Finals or NBA Finals. Boston revels in its playoff history and if Brown shines on the biggest stage, he’ll be a source of pride as well. However, if even that doesn’t get him more respect, there’s another option.
Leading his own team.
The Celtics’ remade core is a major factor in their 64-18 record in 2023-24. Already led by two of the NBA’s best players, Tatum and Brown, Boston added Porzingis and Jrue Holiday last offseason. Nonetheless, while those decisions lent themselves to the Celtics having the best record in the NBA, they’re also why Boston didn’t have an MVP finalist. There’s so much talent on the roster that it’s become difficult to distinguish their most important player.
Tatum has the most well-rounded skillset. Brown is their best two-way player. White’s evolved as a two-way playmaker, becoming one of the game’s better point guards. Holiday’s basketball IQ, defensive mastery, and 3-point precision make them that much harder to beat. Porzingis makes life easier for Boston on both ends with his length, perimeter skills, and interior defense.
It’s not hard to stand out in a group like this. Nor is it difficult to say who’s a cut above the rest. However, it’s all but impossible to single out one player as the driving force behind their success, and that may be what Brown needs for a bit more respect; for people to know that he can succeed without the Celtics.
Would the Celtics Trade Him?
As Brown is under contract through the 2028-29 season, Boston doesn’t have to think about life without him for a while.
That being said, if Brown was to make a trade request, the Celtics seem likely to grant it. Brown has great trade value as an elite player in his prime. He’s also been a good soldier, keeping his head down and working hard since coming to Boston. Lastly, the Celtics might not mind getting off of his contract, as he’s still due another $286 million.
