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Former Celtic shares what he's curious to see from Jaylen Brown in Tatum's absence

Malik Fitts discusses the challenge he is monitoring as Brown assumes the role of the Celtics' unquestioned top option.
ByBobby Krivitsky|
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) walks off the court after losing to the New York Knicks in game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
May 16, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) walks off the court after losing to the New York Knicks in game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Former Boston Celtics forward Malik Fitts recently joined New England Sports Network's podcast, "Hold My Banner." There, he delivered a pointed message to Jaylen Brown's detractors.

"He was Finals MVP," stated Fitts. "I don't know how you can doubt that. The year that he won Finals MVP, you've seen the level that he was playing at. He was playing at a really, really high level."

Fitts, a two-year NBA veteran, joined the Celtics during the 2021-22 campaign. He appeared in eight games, but his energy and bench celebrations made him a popular figure among the fan base.

Fitts was on the team that engineered perhaps the most impressive in-season turnaround in league history. Boston went from being outside of the play-in tournament in January to finishing as the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics' run took them all the way to the NBA Finals. There, they came up short against Stephen Curry and Co. The Golden State Warriors prevailed in a six-game series.

Still, it was an improbable ride that showcased that Brown and Jayson Tatum were ready to lead the NBA's original monarchy back to the mountaintop.

Without Tatum standing alongside Brown, there's one aspect in particular that Fitts is intrigued to see from the former Finals MVP.

The Jaylen Brown challenge that Malik Fitts is monitoring

As Tatum rehabs a torn Achilles, Brown will finally get his chance to be the unquestioned top option. With that comes more responsibility as a team leader.

"I am curious to see how he will lead the team while Jayson is out," said Fitts. "I think, personally, I think [that] he will handle it well. I think he's going to lead the team pretty well."

Brown's already a vocal leader. His work ethic and consistency help set the tone for the Celtics' culture and work environment. In a projected gap year, those elements will get challenged -- perhaps more than ever.

However, without Tatum, the former All-NBA Second Team selection's most significant challenge from a leadership perspective might be how he handles being Boston's best player once tip-off arrives.

The way Brown played in Game 5 against the New York Knicks, when the Celtics mustered one last win, protecting the TD Garden parquet before seeing their season end at Madison Square Garden, is a prime example of how he can elevate his teammates in this role.

Brown was selfless. He didn't turn Tatum's absence into a selfish scoring hunt. Instead, he routinely created quality chances for his teammates. That approach is the ideal path to the four-time All-Star's next on-court evolution. It will mean the most to the Celtics' quest to return to title contention quickly when Tatum rejoins the fold.

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