Boston Celtics Today: Jaylen Brown Receives Praise from Jimmy Butler
Boston Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown has received praise from another NBA All-Star.
Jaylen Brown has seen his playing minutes decline, but the Boston Celtics rookie has still managed to gain another fan in Chicago Bulls All-Star forward Jimmy Butler.
The No. 3 pick overall in this year’s NBA draft has already drawn praise from LeBron James and now Butler, who worked out with Brown this offseason, likes what he sees in the promising young Celtics player.
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"“Just his competitive spirit, man. I love that,” Butler said via The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “He always wants to get better. He’s always (willing) to learn. He’ll ask all the questions that he needs to ask to get the answers that I have, and if I don’t have them, I’ll ask somebody. He’s just a true student of the game.”"
Like any rookie, Jaylen Brown is having some ups and downs so far this young season. His athleticism and understanding of the game has shown through at times. As his playing time increases, he will learn more about the quirks of the game and get a better grip of how to help his team win games. Butler went on to say that when Brown figures it all out, he is going to be a tremendous player in this league.
"“Obviously, he’s athletic, he can play and he’s super smart,” Butler said. “He’s going to be a hell of a player. I think he knows where the game can take him. He’s incredibly smart and he’ll let you know that. Sometimes the kid’s too smart for his own good, like I was telling him over the summer.“I think he has a great core group of guys. He has Jae (Crowder), Isaiah (Thomas), Avery (Bradley) and, of course, Brad Stevens. They’re all teaching him the right way to go about being a rookie in this league. As long as he follows those footsteps, he’ll be all right.”"
Brown’s sky is limitless and hopefully he can soar as a member of the Boston Celtics. His name is rumored in just about every major deal the Celtics are linked with.
Notes & quotes
Demetrius Jackson returns: Rookie point guard Demetrius Jackson was recalled Tuesday from the D-League’s Maine Red Claws.
His promotion adds depth at the point guard position in case Isaiah Thomas has to miss any time due to a groin injury. Jackson has been tearing it up on the D-League, but would still be behind Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier and Avery Bradley if Thomas does indeed miss a game or two.
Al Horford on missed layup vs Rockets via Celtics.com:
"“I felt like we had our opportunities and I didn’t execute as well as I wanted to toward the end (Monday), so I take the fall for that.”"
Isaiah Thomas on critical turnovers against Rockets via The Boston Herald:
"“It was just miscommunication on two big plays. As a point guard, I have to do a better job of communicating to my guys, to let them know exactly what play we’re doing. We all have to be alert. It didn’t lose us the game, but we have to get better at those. We’re going to be in close games this year. There’s things we can control, and we have to do a better job with that.”"
Next: Boston Red Sox Talk: Making Sense Of Recent Moves
The Boston Celtics will next take on the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center Wednesday night.