Four games isn’t a large sample size in the NBA. The season is simply too long to overreact to anything this early. Sure, you can learn things, but it’s not the end-all be-all. If you ask Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, the team is still finding its way -- a message he’s been consistent with since Media Day last month.
“We got five new players that we got to get onboarded and acclimated into the system,” he told reporters at the Auerbach Center. “So, I'm trying to expedite that chemistry building, that trust building, so you guys can see a really good product when we get to the floor. But some of that stuff takes time. So, we'll see how it goes.
“We got a bunch of great guys, young guys, but integrating them into our system, our way of playing basketball, building that chemistry and trust, it doesn't happen overnight. So, we got some work to do, but I'm looking forward to it.”
Jaylen Brown has been ready for the challenge
Throughout training camp, he echoed the same sentiment anytime he had the chance. Though Brown has embraced the challenge of having to lead the Celtics into this strange “gap year,” he hasn’t strayed away from trying to maintain realistic expectations, especially early on.
“It’s going to take some time,” Brown reiterated after Boston’s first win of the season against the New Orleans Pelicans. “We lost four All-Stars from last season between Al [Horford], Jrue [Holiday], Kristaps [Porzingis], and JT being out. And Luke [Kornet’s] an All-Star to me. Luke’s an All-Star in all of our hearts. We didn’t lose one guy — we lost five. To replace those guys, it doesn’t happen overnight. It doesn’t happen in a week, either. We got to build some chemistry, we got to build some identity, and adopt a new style of play. But, I believe in this group, I believe that we have the potential.”
Despite the obvious growing pains that come with a revamped roster like Boston’s, Brown as an individual has risen to the challenge, for the most part. He’s led the Celtics in scoring so far, even with defenses keying in on him as a top priority.
The 29-year-old has poured in 26.3 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and 47.8% from beyond the arc. For Brown to maintain such high shooting efficiency with his increased scoring role is no small feat. To put it in perspective, he’s averaging four more points per game than last season on about the same number of attempts.
You could make the argument that JB should be looking for his shot even more, but, honestly, that wouldn’t be great for his greater goal of being a conduit for team chemistry. How would his new teammates get comfortable in the system if he were just taking all of the shots?
Brown hasn’t been perfect, though. He’s averaged more turnovers (four) than assists (3.8) per game so far. Granted, that isn’t a fair depiction of how well he’s distributed the ball. For example, JB dished out four assists on opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers, but had set his teammates up for 15 potential assists.
The Celtics as a team have struggled to knock down threes at just 31.9%, which is sixth-worst in the NBA. The assists don’t come as easily when the shots aren’t falling.
Brown’s leadership both on and off the court will be an interesting storyline through the 2025-26 season. Though the results haven’t been there so far, it seems he’s doing what he can to get the team moving in the right direction.