Jaylen Brown established himself as one of the NBA’s premier on-ball defenders last season. He consistently excelled against the opposing team’s top players, regardless of their position or any size disadvantage he faced. Among a Boston Celtics roster brimming with elite defenders, Brown distinguished himself as the most versatile player in that group.
Despite his impressive defensive efforts, Brown was overlooked in the All-Defensive team voting. After the Celtics’ 139-89 preseason victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, he expressed his frustration at being ignored.
Data from Cleaning The Glass shows that the Celtics struggled when Brown was off the floor, posting a -8.9 points differential, with 3.1 points stemming from additional points allowed by their defense. Brown has consistently been recognized as a two-way wing with the potential to be among the best in the league for his position.
As he heads into the new season as an NBA champion and a three-time All-Star, there is hope that Brown will finally receive the acknowledgment he deserves for his defensive contributions. However, he understands the importance of prioritizing team success over individual accolades, which was key to the Celtics’ distinction last season, even with the most talented roster in the NBA.
The Celtics have built their identity around defense, finishing last season ranked second in the league and holding their playoff opponents to under 100 points in 11 of their 19 games.
Brown played a crucial role in those defensive achievements, and in time, he is likely to receive the recognition he merits. For now, concentrating on his performance and what he can control will be the best way for him to continue proving his worth.
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