Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown embracing obstacles

Facing LeBron James is an obstacle Jaylen Brown wants to battle through

Throughout this entire rebuild, the Boston Celtics have done things that very few thought would be possible. They have played with a fierce chip on their shoulder, and built the reputation of being the team that was always going to out work their opponent.

Throughout this rebuild, the Celtics have been forced to face obstacles, but at no point have they let that get in the way. From top to bottom, this entire franchise embraced their struggles, and while Brad Stevens was getting the most out of his talent, Danny Ainge was finding the weaknesses that needed to bring change.

The Celtics play with a special intensity, and part of it was always going to be the looming fear they struggling could mean they would be shipped out, and almost everyone suffered that exact fate.

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That kind of motivation is no longer there with the Celtics establishing continuity, but the mentality still exists, and these players will have no problem finding ways to bring that kind of intensity when they are heavy favorites.

This past season was the crowning moment. The Celtics were dealt one of the worst hands in the NBA with injuries, but at no point did any player make an excuse.

Every single player on that court truly believed they belonged there, and could make things competitive After their performance in the playoffs, they sent a clear message.

These players have been built up through obstacles. They have been scrutinized and overlooked in these past few years, and they have used every single bit of that.

Most recently, Jaylen Brown spoke about LeBron James moving out West. Fans are celebrating the fact that they will not have to go through him, but the team does not have that mentality. The Celtics have unfinished business with James, and now they may never get a real opportunity to get that redemption.

These players have never done things the easy way, and that is the way they want to stay. They want to be challenged, and they want to take down the absolute best.

This Celtics core has been handed many playoff loses from James, and they do not forget that. They knew they had an opportunity to win this season, and they let it slip through their fingers.

With all those players returning, no one is scared. We have seen how Brown attacks anyone, and welcomes the defensive assignment of covering James. Jayson Tatum is just the same. His poster in the playoffs is enough to show you what he is about, because Tatum is ready to challenge anyone in the NBA.

The Celtics are building something special, and they have always been their best with difficult challenges and their back against the wall. Hopefully, the Celtics will be getting a clean season, and if they can combine that with this mentality, they will be terrifying.

Brown is still young, but he is becoming a model for what the Celtics want. His focus is unwavering, and he wants to go out there and prove that no one is going to be able to stop what they are trying to accomplish.

The discipline that goes with this mentality is vital, because you do not want Brown losing control and trying to do everything by himself.

The key is that all players have this mentality. Every player on the court needs to be ready to be switched onto James, and Brown is the first player to embrace that.

Next: Daniel Theis: Jack of all trades, master of none

This should be the season when we finally see everything come together, and it would be a shame if the weak East prevents us from seeing the Celtics get the challenges they need to show the NBA how good they really are.

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