With the Boston Celtics completing their gentlemen’s sweep in dominant fashion, the 2023-24 season is now officially over. As the emerald and silver confetti falls on the floor of TD Garden, one man hoists up the 2024 NBA Finals MVP Award: Jaylen Brown.
Jaylen Brown Bestowed With Honor After NBA Finals Victory
Make no mistake, when the Celtics’ dispatched the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5, it was Jayson Tatum who pushed them across the finish line.
In what was his best game of the series, he played like a man possessed, finishing the contest with 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals in 45 minutes. He was particularly effective in the fourth quarter, scoring nearly one-third of his points (11) in the period to put the nail in Dallas’s coffin. The only blemish in the box score was him shooting 1-7 from 3, as he continued to settle for those tightly contested jumpers. However, when he made it a point to get all the way to the rim, he was impressive.
Nonetheless, Brown’s impact can’t be ignored.
Why Did Jaylen Brown Win Finals MVP?
Certainly, Brown had an inefficient shooting night, going 7-23 from the field and 2-9 from 3. In fact, he missed his first four shots with Mavs center Daniel Gafford playing him well on three. He went 1-9 from the field in the second half, pressing to turn his night around.
Yet, he also took the task of guarding the Mavs’ best player. Indeed, he had plenty to do with Luka Doncic beginning the game 0-3, setting the tone for the defense. He played Doncic physically but with discipline. Though Boston mixed up their coverage on him, Brown had the most success slowing down the Slovenian shot-creator.
Then, consider that Brown entered Game 5 averaging 20.8 points per game on 49.2 percent shooting from the field. For comparison, Tatum entered Game 5 averaging 20.0 points on 36.5 percent shooting from the field. That being said, it’s clear why Brown was the one lifting the Finals MVP trophy. Tatum picked up Brown’s slack in Game 5. However, that’s how it looked when Brown took the pressure off of Tatum in Games 1-3.
The Job’s Still Not Finished
After winning the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals MVP Award and NBA Finals MVP Award, Brown has been vindicated. His doubters now have to eat their words about his value on paper and on the court. The voices whispering in his own head after being passed up for all-league selections have been chastised.
However, he can only rest on his laurels for so long. Though this moment is etched in history, he can still get better, namely as a facilitator and 3-point threat. If he wants to go down in the Hall of Fame, he’s well on his way, but he must be better. To that point, as the league’s talent pool grows, the number of people who want or would simply take his spot increases every season. As a result, getting the annual All-Star selections and All-NBA nods that he desires will require him to train relentlessly.
That being said, with a motto of “faith, consistency, and hard work pays off,” Brown knows that as well as anybody.
