MIP candidate #2 for the Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown
This one shouldn’t be a surprise.
Jaylen Brown will continue his streak of improving every year even after suffering a season-ending wrist injury. Even after his All-Star season, there’s a lot for Brown to work on until he is the finished product the Celtics expect him to be. He has a long way to go as a passer, an even longer way to go as an off-ball defender, and could use a few more tricks in his scoring bag.
With no more Kemba Walker on the roster and a max contract ball handler unlikely to walk through the door, Brown’s ball time is going to take another jump next season. As a passer, Brown must work on his touch and processing speed. He needs to be ready to do more than just scoring and making primary reads. Brown has to improve his awareness and pace in pick and roll and learn how to leverage his elite scoring gravity against defenses.
The 2016 NBA Draft’s #3 pick’s on-ball defense is as good as it gets for a wing of his size. He is very versatile, quick off his feet, and does a good job sliding with his man. However, isolation defense is not the only kind of defense Brown will be playing.
The Cs need Brown to improve his awareness and anticipation off-ball. He needs to do a better job anticipating plays and keeping track of his man while keeping an eye on the ball.
As a scorer, Brown is excellent on paper, but he is far from a polished product. He needs to add more to his scoring repertoire and continue finding his spots on the floor. Tightening his handle even more and having a better idea of where he wants to punish the defense will help. Brown experimented with some three-point creation techniques throughout the season, and if he can perfect these techniques this summer, he will be a completely different player.