Boston Celtics Position Battle: Brown vs Green

Comparing the two potential backup small forwards in Jaylen Brown and Gerald Green

The Boston Celtics desperately needed small forward depth last season. Things got significantly worse when they lost their only viable replacement to Jae Crowder in Evan Turner. They responded, however, by drafting Jaylen Brown and bringing in Gerald Green. Both players could get some time as a two guard, but their small forward depth will be much more valuable.

In a way, comparing these two players can be brought down to offense vs defense. Green will be an electrifying finisher who can knock down the three. Green can fill in and be a serviceable offensive player off the bench, but will have no chance to pick up from Crowder on the defensive end.

Brown, on the other hand, is expected to struggle on the offensive end. He has a shot that needs work and needs to prove that he can help generate opportunities for his teammates. That being said, he has the intensity and the physical make up to be a great defender right out of the gate.

Brown boasted a 97.8 defensive rating with a defensive box plus minus of 3.3. He was a standout defender at the college level and that is surely the main reason why the Celtics took him. His unique physical ability will put him in a great position to guard multiple positions that is likely to include any position except maybe center.

One of the keys to Boston’s small ball lineups was the defensive flexibility of Turner and Crowder. While both of them were significantly undersized, their ability to guard the four allowed Stevens to use those three guard lineups any time he wanted.

That is the kind of defensive depth that the Celtics are hoping to get out of Brown and with the energy that he plays with he should fit in just fine with the second unit. Both Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier were drafted largely because of their ability to be NBA ready defenders, and they both had an impact on that end as rookies.

Brown is just 19 years old, but there is no doubting that the Celtics will look to get a similar impact from him. Brown will also be able to feed off of the the energy that has lead to so much of Rozier and Smart’s success. He can certainly help them generate steals and he will be in an ideal position to take advantage of what both Smart and Rozier do on the defensive end.

If Brown can prove to Stevens that he can be a great defensive compliment to the strong defensive guards on that second unit, then Green will never get a chance to show off his ability on the offensive end. Defense has always been the priority for the Celtics and, especially at the small forward position, defense remains the most important thing.

If, however, Brown needs time to adjust and cannot avoid being a liability on the defensive end, then Green will have an edge on him in almost every offensive category. The one edge Brown has is using his incredible physical make up to be an explosive finisher, and that is Green’s speciality. Green will be the most athletic finisher on the Celtics and could have a real impact in transition, where the Celtics need to make sure they flourish with all their steals.

Even if Brown could bring the finishing at the rim to a draw (which is a stretch for the 19 year old, but not out of the question), then Green will earn his minutes with his three point shot. It would be shocking to see Brown break just 35% from three point range, and that is where Green has proven he can above on a consistent basis.

Brown may have received more criticism he deserved for his shot, but that does not eliminate the fact that he has had consistency issues. Brown will also be playing alongside Smart and Rozier, two struggling shooters who may not give him the floor spacing he needs to get the open looks. Green can come in and have the opposite effect. Instead of being hurt by lack of spacing, he will bring the spacing.

A career 36% three point shooter makes Green one of the better three point shooters on the team, and it cannot be overstated how much the Celtics need shooting. While defense will be priority number one and that gives Brown and edge, shooting is certainly priority number two and that gives Green a distinct edge.

There is a lot of risk with Green being a defensive liability and there is a lot of risk with the 19 year old rookie not being ready to have a proper impact. The reality, however, is that these are going to be two of the primary options behind Crowder. Crowder has a unique and two way impact that cannot be replaced. And, if the Celtics do not have anyone decent behind him, then that will continually hurt them. The Celtics have leaned heavily on an edge from their second unit and they need small forward depth to continue that.

Given how ready he appears physically, and the fact that he was the third overall pick, Brown should be guaranteed an opportunity to have that significant role. The Celtics have continually given their first round picks an opportunity in their rookie year, and there is no reason for them to change that with Brown.

Green, on a minimum contract, should be more of a scoring speciality and insurance. His position versatility will help, but there are many options ahead of Brown all over the court and he needs to prove that he can be a capable defender before he can have any chance of surpassing them. If the Celtics want to put out an ultimate shooting lineup with the second unit, then Green will be a part of it.

Next: Expectations for Demetrus Jackson' Career

Brown is now one of the crucial pieces to the Celtics’ future, and they will want to find out exactly what he can be as a rookie. Brown may have to endure a similar offensive process that Smart is currently going through, but Stevens has always shown a willingness to be patient with that process, and that may be all Brown needs to know.