How Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Can Use Disrespectful Snubs To Reach New Level

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown may be the reigning NBA Finals MVP — and Eastern Conference finals MVP — but that doesn’t alleviate the load of adversity seated facing the 28-year-old entering a clean slate.

Ever since Brown made the jump from college to the NBA, the ultra athletic, two-way guard deflected criticisms left and right. Brown’s in-the-works 3-point shooting was highlighted deeply when the Celtics selected him third overall in the 2016 draft. When Brown became the then-highest-paid player in NBA history ($286 million) during the 2023 offseason, the conversation became, “Did Brown really deserve it?” Even after a multi-day champagne shower after securing Banner 18, Brown couldn’t escape the ever-hovering doubt as USA Basketball didn’t extend an offer during the Olympics this past summer.

Whether it was a direct order from Nike, a sneaky plot from head coach Steve Kerr or a (unlikely) sincere decline from Team USA, Brown isn’t getting wrapped up in it. The Celtics have a title to defend and that’s all that matters.

“I’m ready to go. I’m excited about being back,” Brown said last month. “The past is the past but I’m ready to get after it, lead our guys, get the guys, build some team chemistry, not skip any steps and just set the tone for another year again. I’m extremely motivated for obvious reasons and I’m ready to get after it.”

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Brown’s summer, although dampened by USA Basketball’s suspicious rejection, remained busy. He launched Boston XChange, an initiative to address the racial wealth gap within Boston, and produced his own signature sneaker, the Rover, and brand, 741 — a side project solely created from “boredom.” Then, of course, the typical offseason training that’s already drawn attention from experts across the league during preseason.

Or as Brown would call it: business as usual.

“It feels the same, honestly. I feel the same,” Brown said. “The year before when we lost, it was kind of like the lowest of lows for me. I feel like it was my responsibility when we lost in Game 7 and fell short. And then now it feels like we won and it was the same kind of deal but just the opposite end of the spectrum. … It kind of feels weirdly, oddly enough the same. So I’m excited just to start the journey again. Could’ve used another couple of weeks but no complaints here. I’d rather end every season like we did last year so let’s get it going.”

Brown averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting a career-best 49.9% from the field and 35.4% from three across 70 games last season. Stellar, All-Star worthy and not-too-shabby fresh off a historic payday, but not a campaign exonerated (fully) from the need for improvement. There are, in fact, several ways Brown can elevate while also elevating the Celtics in their fight for a repeat finish as champions.

Free-throw shooting
Brown did a solid job getting to the line last season by averaging 4.3 free-throw attempts a night. However, he only made 70.3% of them, marking Brown’s lowest since his third year in the league (65.8%). Considering he’s an intense, dynamic scorer, Brown needs to consistently finish at the line to prevent losing out on as many charity points as possible, especially in late-game scenarios.

Left-handed dribbling
There’s no greater blemish to Brown’s game than dribbling with a left hand. He committed 2.4 turnovers on average last season, which was a slight improvement from the 2022-23 season (2.9), but the issue presents itself constantly in situations when Brown attempts moves to the basket that require a (somewhat) reliable left hand. It’s especially needed for Brown’s high-motor, speedy archetype when pesky defenders target that vulnerability to slow down Boston’s offense.

Playmaking
Sure, it’s general and bland but then again, there isn’t some abundance of voids to Brown’s overall game. It was known in welcoming Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday aboard that if Boston’s blueprint were to come to life, Brown — and Jayson Tatum — would need to lead by example in sacrificing their accolades. Scoring figures went down from career-best points for each of Boston’s co-stars and Brown’s assists average increased from 3.5 to 3.6. That could take an even better jump, especially with a roster more talented than any other Brown’s played alongside in the NBA. Even with Porzingis out presumably until December, Brown can excel more as a facilitator and open the door for scoring opportunities for everyone on the floor.

Then again, not falling content has been a constant for Brown even before the Cal product became a three-time NBA All-Star and champion.

“I’ve had to experience a lot of adversity through life, through this organization, through my journey. A lot of people, a lot of doubts,” Brown said. “A lot of ins and outs to get to where I’m at, and I’m grateful. I wouldn’t exchange it for anything. Cause even in those moments of doubt or those moments where I heard boos or people wanting me gone or they didn’t think I deserved what I got. That kind of ultimately made me who I was. All of those moments, I think, cultivate you. I think adversity is that in itself. We often look at blessing as being something positive but all the blessings in my life have been like the adversity and the negative things that have happened.”