If you haven’t been tapped in with Celtics circles, let me fill you in.
Jaylen Brown is becoming the scapegoat for the Celtics’ recent rough patch.
That rough patch I’m referring to is encapsulated in their last 20 games— an 11-9 record. Solid for a team in the play-in, but not up to par with this all-time great Celtics roster. After all, this team went 64-18 last season. They now stand at 32-15, just 1 game ahead of the hungry New York Knicks.
There are a couple of statistics that, while not panic-button level, are certainly cause for concern. How about the fact that the Celtics are 4-5 at home in their last 20 games— that’s 22/23 Celtics nightmare-level stuff. Even worse? They’re just 3-9 after a win since Dec. 18, which tells me the Celtics are getting quite complacent.
To say that this team will flip a switch is certainly sugar-coating it. There’s no switch to flip if this team can’t start building chemistry.
Kristaps Porzingis has played 22 of 47 games. Al Horford 36 of 47. Sam Hauser 39 of 47.
In fact, the Celtics have barely even played with their top six in the lineup.
You could blame tired legs from this summer’s grueling Olympics (which three Celtics played in), regular-season laziness, or just not being healthy— three viable excuses.
The one Celtics fans have decided to blame? Jaylen Brown. The Eastern Conference and Finals MVP. Yes, that Jaylen Brown.
Even as a Day 1 Jaylen Brown fan, the numbers don’t look too good.
The Celtics’ net rating jumps from 7.1 to 10.5 without him in the lineup—yikes. While the Offensive Rating doesn’t see a big jump, the team’s Defensive Rating is also better with Jaylen off the floor, going from 113.4 to 107.7 (lower entails more effective defense). That statistic contrasts sharply with last season when the Celtics’ defensive rating improved with him on the floor.
While this season hasn’t been the greatest for Brown, it’s short-minded to give up on him, as many Celtics fans have begun to do.
That discourse became amplified when Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks punked the Celtics on Monday, and Jaylen Brown once again didn’t play his best game.
https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/1884076030257713559?s=61
The numbers also don’t lie. With Jaylen Brown on the court against the Rockets, the Celtics posted a -17.7 net rating— embarrassing. With him off the court, the Celtics improved, boasting a Net Rating of 50.0. The offensive and defensive ratings are even worse. Their 112 ORTG with him on the court skyrocketed (no pun intended) to 140 with Brown off the court. The DRTG improved from 112 to 140.0 as well.
The numbers look bleak, there’s no way around that— but Brown deserves the benefit of the doubt. Both things can be true.
It’s not Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. It’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Put the trade machines down and enjoy a historic Celtic in his prime. Everyone has ups and downs; it’s just part of the game. Hopfully, we can look back at this and laugh next October as we hang banner 19 in the rafters.
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