Jaylen Brown is convinced of this: at now 27 years old, still learning, he is slowly – but surely – reaching maturity and he feels it in his game, without deviating from the type of player he is.
“ I have the feeling that, on both ends of the court, I am playing the best basketball of my career » he delivers for The Athleticbefore detailing: “ I feel like a different player. I still have the same essence, aggression is still part of me, but I see the game, I make the right reads and at the same time I try to involve everyone. »
More than ever eager to shine on the biggest stage with Boston, namely that of the playoffs, Jaylen Brown thinks about it constantly. Even more so after the failure last spring, in the conference final against Miami.
Motivated by the failure of the last playoffs
Series during which the back/winger of the Celtics broke his teeth on the Florida defense: 19.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.6 turnovers on average, at 42% shooting (including 16% at 3-points) and 67% on throws.
“ It motivated my development. It inspired me to work hard. I've probably never worked as hard as I did this summer. » he confides regarding this disillusionment. “ My body has changed. Physically, I feel at my best and at the peak of my athletic abilities. I run, I jump, I defend. I am in the right places, I am more attentive in defense and attack. It motivated me, motivated me to progress. It's failing like we did, the pain [que ça a provoqué]…But I wouldn't change it for anything. Everything happens for a reason. Part of life is learning and growing, and that's just how I approach things in life. […] It's a whole new season. You learn, you grow and you progress. I'm just focusing on being a better player. That's all. »
Integrate the new ones to move forward collectively
Determined not to experience such a failure again, “ the student of the game » Jaylen Brown, as he likes to call himself, is already preparing accordingly for training. In the event that he were to be confronted with such difficulties again…
But as a good leader and excellent teammate, “JB” above all works to integrate Boston's new players as best as possible, like Jrue Holiday or Kristaps Porzingis. Essential newcomers in the future success of the Celtic group, which will have to gain strength over the months.
“ We will need the contribution of many players » develops the double All-Star. “ I want to maintain my level of aggression because it's part of me, but I also want to find these players in space, at the right time, with good passes, to allow them to play with freedom and confidence. »
More comfortable with the ball?
Mocked during the summer for his waste with the ball in hand and his weakness in dribbling, Jaylen Brown however did not stop at these criticisms and, true to himself, he continued to work in his corner.
To the point of pushing the Celtics coaching staff to let him organize the game in certain sequences, both to reward his mentality and his progress in the field.
“ I had to deserve it. I must have deserved everything. I think that [les entraîneurs] have noticed the fact that I try to give the ball to others and they have also noticed the reduction in my turnovers and my ball waste in hand. I had to deserve [ces opportunités]. Even in year 8, it's great to be able to come to work and you have to earn all the privileges you get »concludes Jayson Tatum's number one accomplice in Massachusetts.
| Jaylen Brown | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | BOS | 78 | 17 | 45.4 | 34.1 | 68.5 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 6.6 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 70 | 31 | 46.5 | 39.5 | 64.4 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 14.5 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 74 | 26 | 46.5 | 34.4 | 65.8 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 13.0 |
| 2019-20 | BOS | 57 | 34 | 48.1 | 38.2 | 72.4 | 1.1 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 20.3 |
| 2020-21 | BOS | 58 | 35 | 48.4 | 39.7 | 76.4 | 1.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 24.7 |
| 2021-22 | BOS | 66 | 34 | 47.3 | 35.8 | 75.8 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 23.6 |
| 2022-23 | BOS | 67 | 36 | 49.1 | 33.5 | 76.5 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 26.6 |
| 2023-24 | BOS | 19 | 34 | 45.9 | 33.8 | 69.9 | 0.6 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 22.2 |
| Total | 489 | 30 | 47.6 | 36.4 | 72.2 | 0.9 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 18.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
