Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown is the biggest All-Star snub, and it’s not close

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on January 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on January 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

The NBA’s All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday night, and the Boston Celtics only had one of their players deemed worthy of partaking in the illustrious game.

While Jayson Tatum received his third nod in as many years, Jaylen Brown was left off the team, now hoping to be chosen as a replacement for the injured, Kevin Durant.

As the Eastern Conference continues to improve, these selections will become more and more difficult. However, leaving Brown off while players such as Khris Middleton made the team is, to quote Stephen A. Smith, blasphemous.

The main reason JB was left off the ballot was due to his team’s record.

At just 28-25, the ninth seed in the East, voters definitely had a difficult time rewarding an overall disappointing season with two All-Star selections.

However, including a team’s record into a player’s resume is outdated — if a team has two players playing at a high enough level, why does it matter how many wins they have?

The Boston Celtics deserved to have two All-Stars

From a statistical standpoint, Middleton gets lapped by Brown in almost every category.

This season, the Buck has averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 44.1 percent shooting from the field and 38.2 percent shooting from downtown.

Comparatively, Jaylen holds averages of 24.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 45.9 percent shooting from the field and 35.7 percent shooting from deep.

In terms of advanced statistics, the Boston Celtics have a +6.3 net rating when Brown’s on the floor. Middleton gives the Bucks a +3.7 rating, the seventh most positive player on his team.

In reality, Khris Middleton has had an overall down season for himself, with Jrue Holiday stepping up as the number two option for the reigning champions on both sides of the ball.

If we want to include team success, the Bucks are a mere four games ahead of Boston. If that’s a big enough difference to reward a team with more than one All-Star (with Giannis Antetokounmpo obviously being selected), then why should it matter at all?

Sure, Jaylen’s ball-handling ability has become a question mark of late, as he’s turning the rock over at an alarming rate in the month of January.

However, he’s also been a steady presence in the success of this Celtics team, scoring big-time buckets in isolation and transition when they’ve needed it most.

When accounting for defensive ability, Brown has Middleton and other potential snubs beat as well. While he falls asleep off-ball at times, his on-ball defense is as good as anyone elses, helping Boston become one of the best defenses in the league.

The 25-year-old is also in a more difficult situation compared to Middleton — life is much easier when you’re standing on the perimeter, waiting for the pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo when he draws multiple defenders in the lane, compared to Brown having to create buckets for himself.

With a higher volume, Brown has remained relatively close to Middleton in terms of overall efficiency, showing how he should have undoubtedly earned his second consecutive All-Star selection this season.

This year, more than ever, should prove that the NBA should move to a positionless voting process in order to prioritize selecting the 24 best players in the league, rather than defaulting to positional qualifications.

If the league bit the bullet and made changes to their system, snubs like Jaylen Brown wouldn’t happen as often.

Overall, other organizations want to mention Jarrett Allen, LaMelo Ball, and Miles Bridges as All-Star snubs, but Jaylen Brown has played like one in his sixth season in Celtic green.

He deserves it.