Let’s compare two NBA players, Player A and Player B:
Player A is averaging 28.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, while shooting 49.8% from the field. Player B is averaging 28.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 47.7%. Who are you taking?
From these stats alone, it would be logical to choose player A, as his numbers are better in every major category.
Now for the big reveal: Player A is Jaylen Brown, and Player B is Anthony Edwards.
A Leader on the Stat Sheet
Far too often has Jaylen Brown’s name been separated from the likes of Edwards and others who were ranked inside the top 10 of ESPN’s NBA player rankings. Brown, who was placed at 19th, has proven this year that he can play as well as anybody in the league.
In his most recent outing, he dueled against Anthony Edwards away at Minnesota. Although the Celtics were on the losing end of a tight finish, Brown outscored Edwards with 41, shooting 53% from the field on the night.
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In wake of superstar Jayson Tatum’s absence due to injury, Brown has elevated his play to career-best heights. The former 2016 third-overall pick has scored the fifth-most points in the NBA this year, along with the third-most 30 point outings (10). His points per game is not only the best on his team by over 12 points, but also the ninth-best in the league.
Brown is also leading a team that is ranked fourth in offensive rating and managing an 11-9 record, despite being short-handed. On the Celtics, the 2024 Finals MVP is top three on the team in minutes, assists, rebounds, and steals.
By all accounts, his production on the court has been everything the Celtics faithful could have asked for.
Jaylen Brown Is a Leader in the Locker Room
There’s no doubt that Brown has been one of Boston’s emotional leaders throughout the past few seasons. This year, however, a combination of Tatum’s injury and offseason moves has rendered Brown as the recipient of the main role.
Even before this season began, the All-Star was taking his new responsibilities very seriously.
“Brown has always been a leader for us…even when Tatum was healthy. He’s definitely taking that load on even more. He’s super motivated as always, and you can definitely tell by the way he’s approaching the offseason” said Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman during training camp.
For Brown, he has embraced this new mantle with maturity and gratitude.
“It’s an honor to be honest,” Brown told the media when asked about the change. “Trying to share my experiences, my basketball knowledge, and also thinking about how I can bring the most out of everybody around me and my teammates…”
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That basketball knowledge means knowing the importance of being ready to play, which Brown emphasizes to his teammates. He realizes that for the Celtics to win games, they must be the harder working team.
The Celtics’ mediocre record most likely keeps Brown out of any MVP conversations, at least for now. However, as he has done time and time again, Jaylen Brown is putting the NBA on notice.
He is no sidekick, not the number two in a one-two punch. Instead, he is a leader, one that demands, motivates, and plays at the highest of levels.
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