When the Boston Celtics began the season with a revamped roster and Jayson Tatum on the shelf, what fans should have expected from their team wasn't clear. While there was hope that the Celtics would remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, there was real concern that the team was one injury or a bad stretch away from a completely lost season. The Celtics owe a ton to Jaylen Brown for not letting that happen so far.
There are plenty of teams who struggle to keep their eye on the prize when their star is sidelined and there are lower ambitions for the season. Just look at where the Indiana Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton this season. Even though the Celtics are well aware that they are not a contender, they have been competitive all season, firmly in the playoff race with a 9-8 record.
Jaylen Brown Is the Main Reason Celtics Still Matter
Teams usually get their cues from their stars. If their best player is motivated, that spills over to the rest of the team, keeping them connected and focused. And Jaylen Brown has been extremely motivated all season, creating ripple effects on the team. Joe Mazzulla has done an excellent job keeping this team together, but the lion's share of credit needs to go to Brown.
Brown is in the midst of a career season despite averaging his fewest minutes since the 2018-19 season. He has upped his usage rate to a career-high 35.7% but has managed to improve his efficiency at the same time. His True Shooting% is at a career-high 59% while he is scoring a personal-best 27.9 points per game. As a result, the Celtics have an impressive 120.4 offensive rating when he is on the court, per Cleaning the Glass.
The 29-year-old All-Star has fully embraced his role as the go-to guy. After taking a backseat to Tatum over the last few seasons, Brown seems to be enjoying being "the guy" again. Seeing that he can still play at an All-NBA caliber must feel good for Brown, but he is a smart enough player to know that the team needs Tatum to be a contender again. Whether Brown can be a co-star to Tatum upon his return, or the existing hierarchy between the two will continue will be fascinating to watch.
In the meantime, Celtics fans should enjoy the Jaylen Brown show, and should be thankful to have a leader who cares and thrives in the face of adversity.