The Boston Celtics are making Jaylen Brown the number one option this season, but it will force everyone to do more with subpar results. The four-time All-Star has desired this role for years. He is an elite scorer who’s made considerable strides with his playmaking. Fans are questioning how he adapts with Jayson Tatum out, but the bigger problem will be forcing every player into a larger role.
The Celtics lost Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet this offseason. With Tatum’s absence, that is 72.4 points per game out of their lineup. Boston hopes Derrick White and Payton Pritchard step up their scoring, but it could impact their efficiency. Anfernee Simons is a bucket, but there are questions about every player beyond that.
Not only is Brown being asked to take on more, but the focus on him will increase as less respect is given to the other pieces. Brad Stevens believes in JB as the top option, but the Celtics can’t ask him to do it all. It will be a problem, and overworking Brown could create a nightmare scenario.
Celtics need Jaylen Brown to do it all
Brown averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34.3 minutes per game last season. Those are monster numbers, but he will have every opportunity to score 30 every night and be the primary playmaker. Brown can create, but there are still dribbling questions. The Celtics should be worried about a significant efficiency dip from their star.
Brown shot a career-low 32.4 percent from 3-point range last season and has made 33.8 percent over the previous three years. Now, teams will be selling out to stop him. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will want the Cs bombing away from deep, but it won’t help Brown’s efficiency. Do not be surprised to see another down year from long range.
The Celtics need White and Pritchard to significantly increase their attempts this season, and it is on Brown to create open looks for them. White has been hesitant to take more shots in the past. The Celtics want to win, but it may be fringe players absorbing the attempts left behind from Tatum, Porzingis, and Horford.
The Celtics need Brown to average 30-8-8 next season. The frontcourt is a mess with several questionable options expected to play key roles. Anfernee Simons is a subpar defender that Mazzulla will have to hide. Expecting JB to do more everywhere is a problem and could create a nightmare scenario.
Over his nine-year NBA career, Brown has averaged 67 games per season. The Celtics will struggle mightily whenever he misses time. If he has the biggest workload of his career on both ends of the floor, the franchise can’t realistically expect him to play more than 70 this season.
Jaylen Brown is going to put up monster numbers, but the Boston Celtics need too much from him to stay competitive. It is a problem they can’t shake this season. If anything, they want to further tear down their roster to save money and may even consider a deal no fan wants. Brown will have to deal with the new reality. It is a problem that should be fixed when Tatum returns, but it will be a long and painful season for the Celtics.