Through 24 games, the Boston Celtics sit third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 15-9. They’ve won five in a row, 10 of their last 12, and 15 of 21, since starting 0-3. Very few would’ve expected Boston to look this good over a quarter of the way through the season, but here they are.
Jaylen Brown has been a huge reason why. The 10th-year-forward looks incredible right now. In 23 appearances for the Cs this season, JB has averaged 29.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
He’s been ever better lately. Brown was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week on Monday, after posting 34 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game in his recent appearances against the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers.
These are All-NBA level numbers from Brown, an honor he’s already received once during the 2022-23 season.
More importantly, he’s producing at this level while helping the team win games, as Boston’s 4-0 record last week would tell you. Brown doesn’t look like someone who accidentally became important at work, with Jayson Tatum recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Instead, he looks like someone who finally got the promotion they’d been working so tirelessly for.
Brown’s mid-range game, in particular, has been otherworldly. He’s made more mid-range jumpers than anyone else in the league (68), while shooting hyperefficiently. JB’s shot-creation and control from the elbows in particular make him a consistent threat for opposing defenses. He’s done a great job of using his strength to punish defenders and create space once he gets to his spots.
It’s been like a cheat code for the Celtics any time they’ve needed a big bucket.
Jaylen Brown plays like a leader
He could’ve very easily become a “good stats, bad team” guy with Tatum out. He hasn’t, though. He clearly wants this.
Brown’s desire to be great and lead by example is felt every single night. Before the season, he talked plenty about wanting to take on a leadership role. Brown’s walked the walk on that sentiment, too, setting up team outings to a New England Patriots game and an NBA Youngboy concert during training camp.
Just about any time he’s had the chance, Brown has praised his teammates to the media, shouting out players for the work they put in to improve their game and help the team. He’s also called them out when necessary.
“Come ready to play, or don’t play at all,” he challenged, following last month’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets. “That’s my whole thing. We’ve gotta come ready to play. We just went through the motions today. Like, I don’t understand it.”
Since then, the Celtics are 7-1, and their gritty playstyle is something fans can rely on every time they turn on the TV, tune in on the radio, or buy tickets to a game.
Brown’s impact on this team, as large as it is, shouldn’t come as a surprise to Celtics fans. They’ve seen the 28-year-old’s career arc since he came into the league as a rookie in 2016. They’ve watched him grow from a bench sparkplug, to an All-Star, and into a Finals MVP.
Now, it’s just time that fans find out on a national scale.