Jaylen Brown has been the center of attention in the Eastern Conference finals. Cementing his mark in Game 1 with a game-tying shot to force overtime, Brown continued where he left off with a 40-piece for the Boston Celtics in Game 2. His big night resulted in a 126-110 Celtics victory, as well as a 2-0 lead for the team in their ongoing series against the Indiana Pacers.
The wingman’s recent performance can be attributed to many things, one of which could be Brown’s All-NBA snub this season. While he made it clear that he doesn’t care about the All-NBA talks, Brown did make a postgame comment that can be described as a jab toward other stars in the league.
Asked on whether he feels like an underrated player, the 27-year-old had this to say.
“I watch guys get praised and anointed who I feel like are half as talented as me on either side of the ball,” Brown said, per CelticsBlog’s Jack Simone. “But at this point in my life, I just embrace it. It comes with being who I am, who I stand for, and I ain’t really changing that. I’m grateful to step out on the floor each and every night. I put my best foot forward. I get better every single year, and whether people appreciate it or not, it is what it is.”
It’s hard to argue with the first sentence of Brown’s statement. After all, the 6-foot-7 wing has been big on both ends of the floor for Boston. Throughout the regular season, Brown averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists. In the playoffs, he already has three games with no less than 30 points each.
Brown’s smooth shot creation, combined with his explosiveness and red-hot shooting, have all made him one of the most enjoyable players to watch today. He already has three All-Star appearances to his name. One could also argue that, if placed in several other teams, Brown is capable of becoming a franchise player. After all, his achievements have come while being the Celtics’ second option behind Jayson Tatum.
On the other side of the ball, the wingman is a big reason why the team finished the regular season with the second-best defense. Brown’s athleticism and speed allow him to keep up with opposing scorers on the perimeter. He’s got quick hands as well. During Game 1 against the Pacers, Brown finished with three steals.
And in Game 2, his offense highlighted the win. Brown’s 40 points resulted from 14-of-27 (51.9%) field goal shooting. Whether it was a three-pointer, a drive to the basket or a mid-range pull up, the former UC Berkeley standout found the bottom of the net.
The Celtics have made the most out of their homecourt advantage. A tough task now awaits on the road, as the next two outings will be played in front of a hostile Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It remains to be seen if Boston can end the series early, but with the way Jaylen Brown is playing, it’s not difficult to imagine.
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