Is Boston Celtics All-Star wing Jaylen Brown an “under-appreciated” rising star in the NBA?
He may not get the hype Jayson Tatum gets, but he certainly isn’t under-appreciated by Celtics fans nor is he under-appreciated by one of the best players in the world.
Selected by LeBron James to represent his team in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, James tagged Brown with a nickname he will surely roll with the rest of his NBA career.
"“With my fourth pick in the second round, I’m going to go with Jaylen ‘Underappreciated’ Brown of the Boston Celtics,” James said during the TNT broadcast."
Whoa! Wait? Under-appreciated Brown?
Averaging 24.7 points a game this season and being selected to his first All-Star Game, the Celtics rising star ate it all up. When asked about the nickname given to him by one of the best? Well, it’s a sign of respect of course.
"“That’s great, to have one of, if not the best, player ever to play select you and point out some of the things that he’s seen is great,” Brown said. “I appreciate him for that.”"
"There's no way Bradley Beal is going to Boston"
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 5, 2021
Wizards insider @cmillsnbcs explains why we won't be seeing Beal team up with Tatum in Boston pic.twitter.com/MoLI8kZJI9
So, what makes Jaylen Brown an under-appreciated young star in the NBA? Well, let’s point out three reasons why he’s appreciated as a member of the Celtics.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
No. 1: Jaylen Brown is a two-way asset for the Boston Celtics
When Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge selected Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, there were questions about the selection.
The California product was drafted behind Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram that year and ahead of players like Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray and Domantaas Sabonis.
In what has shaped up as a great draft class, Brown has worked his way from a freakish athlete to one of the most versatile scorers in the NBA. The way he has improved his game offensively has been a major reason Ainge has stuck with his draft selection.
Again, averaging 24.7 points per game, Brown is proving year after year that he is just not a dunk and layup machine. He can score from anywhere on the court and has really turned into a lethal three-point scorer.
But it doesn’t stop there for Jaylen Brown, who can really dig in defensively as well. Whether its steals, timely rebounds or just locking down a defender on any given possession, Brown continues to emerge as a two-way asset the Boston Celtics can count on, especially on the big stage.
No. 2: Jaylen Brown showcases leadership on a young Boston Celtics squad
Yes, the Boston Celtics have veteran leadership in Kemba Walker and Tristan Thompson.
They even have it on different levels with players like Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart. But Jaylen Brown has really emerged as the face of the Celtics on and off the court.
On the court, it has been his improved play on both sides of the court. Off the court, he not only shows maturity, but he is also actively involved in social justice which makes him one of the more respected individuals in the NBA.
Where the under-appreciation comes in is the impact he has on his own team.
When it comes to the current face of the Boston Celtics, Brown does share the spotlight with Tatum, although Tatum gets much more of the shine.
In Brown, the Celtics have a rising star, who showcases his leadership on the court and through his experience with the team through the first five seasons of his NBA career, he has really learned what it takes to win. Most importantly, he has embraced being a role model in the local Boston community. A true leader for sure.
"“I’ve been in Boston for five years, and I’m a Bostonian now in a sense,” Brown said via Zoom back in December. “It’s a major time of my life I’ve spent in Boston now. I’m trying to be a part of the solutions and not the problems here and trying to see where I can help out because it takes a community, and I’m trying to be a part of this community. I’m definitely trying to get more engaged and see where I can help out the most.”"
Now an All-Star, his actions and commitment on and off the court will be even more highlighted. By embracing that role model role, while being one of the leaders on the team is the spirit of superstardom that will hopefully help lead this team to an NBA title sooner rather than later.
No. 3: Jaylen Brown still has room to grow in his role with the Boston Celtics
In all, Jaylen Brown is just 24 years old which is the scary part of his continued growth over his first 4 and a half seasons in the NBA.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
He has always been a mature player, but season after season he continues to add more to his game.
Whether it is improving his outside shot or his dribbling skills, Brown has made the commitment to continue working on his overall game and it shows.
Draft No. 3 overall in the NBA Draft, what Brown has morphed into has to be beyond the vision and expectations of Danny Ainge who has refused to part ways with Brown in some of the big trade rumors over the past few seasons.
Recently, he showcased his commitment to the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown duo by refusing to give up Brown in a James Harden deal.
In turning down opportunities to put the team over the hump now, Ainge has made a commitment to sticking with a young player who has grown and continues to grow as an impact player on the court.
Now, an area where he can grow and will grow is making the players around him better. That is going to be a challenge for both he and Tatum as their stardom begins to brighten once they reach the prime of their careers.
In the first half of the 2021 NBA season, Brown is averaging 3.9 assists per game. If he can get that number up a big, he would be that more affective as a player in this league.
Sky is the limit for Jaylen Brown, and he is just halfway there. Under-appreciated for now, but certainly respected amongst Boston Celtics fans and around the league.