Why Former Celtics Captain Sees His Similarities In Jaylen Brown

BOSTON — Jaylen Brown is not the first impact Celtic with his last name to wear No. 7 in Boston.

Dee Brown played eight seasons with the Celtics, finished as a Rookie of the Year finalist and dominated the dunk contest in 1991. The current Brown wearing No. 7 took part in the dunk contest last year and electrifies the game just as his predecessor once did.

There’s a clear respect between the Celtics of the past and present that share that number and a last name.

“I’ve known Jaylen since he was in high school being in Georgia,” Dee Brown said before “The Tradition” at TD Garden on Wednesday night. “It’s funny seeing Brown No. 7 running around. I know it’s not mine, but I’m like, ‘Hey, that’s my jersey.’ He’s a great guy and so is Jayson (Tatum).”

Dee Brown believes the player that took home Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP is on his way to a legendary career, one that could end with the Celtics retiring his number among the all-time greats that have shaped basketball in Boston.

“I’m going to tell everybody it’s me,” Brown joked. “When I talk to Jaylen, I’ll say, ‘We’re going up there together, buddy.’ He’s going to eventually go up there. He’s that type of player that he’ll eventually get his number up there.”

“The Tradition” airs Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. ET on NESN.