After scoring a game-high 32 points on 11-of-15 (73.3%) shooting from the field and 4-of-6 (66.7%) from beyond the arc in a 32-point victory for the Celtics against the Rockets in mid-January, Jaylen Brown faced a familiar question: Was he currently playing the best basketball of his career?
In response, Brown remarked, “We said the same thing last month, and now we’re saying it another month in. I still think that I have a lot of potential that I haven’t tapped into.”
Two months later, people are still saying it – Jaylen Brown is playing the best basketball of his career. They’ve been saying it all year.
In eight games since returning from the All-Star break, the All-NBA wing is averaging 28.1 points on 54.7% shooting from the field and 42.3% from deep, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. Brown also leads the league in plus-minus per game over that span, posting a +16.3.
His 28.1 points per game are good for eighth-best in the NBA over that span. The only players ahead of him are Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, and LeBron James – not bad for a supposed second option.
Brown’s 54.7% field goal percentage is second-best in the Eastern Conference over that stretch, behind Antetokounmpo.
What’s been most impressive is how he has been attacking the rim, an area he has thrived all season. Over this eight-game stretch, Brown is averaging 8.6 drives per game, with 85.0% of those drives resulting in points. He is averaging 7.3 points on 72.4% shooting.
Unfortunately, there is no way to track how many of those finishes have been with his left hand, but based on the eye test, there have been quite a few.
However, it is possible to track how many of those drives resulted in turnovers, which stands at 0.3, tied for the third-fewest among players averaging at least eight drives per game and having played at least two games.
And regarding overall turnovers, Brown’s done a great job taking care of the rock, averaging just 1.5 over the eight-game stretch, with only one game surpassing two turnovers.
These stats only highlight Brown’s most recent tear, but it’s important to recognize that he has been playing at an elite level all season long, validating the five-year, $304 million supermax extension he signed with the Celtics last summer and solidifying his position as a cornerstone player for the team.
The 27-year-old has consistently grown all season long, and all those concerns entering the season, such as his ball control and decision-making, have drastically improved as his playmaking has grown considerably.
He knows when to pick his spots and recognizes the situation of the game and what his team needs, and it’s made all the difference for the Celtics.
It’s truly remarkable to witness such significant improvement from a player who was already counted among the top talents in the league and had achieved considerable success, including All-Star selections, All-NBA honors, and an appearance in the NBA Finals. Yet, that’s exactly what we’ve seen from Brown.
Success starts with great leaders, and in sports, that often stems from the top, with their best players. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown embody this role. They’ve taken on the responsibility, emerging as the leaders this team needed.
Since the beginning, Jaylen Brown has encountered criticism, evident when fans expressed their disapproval after Wyc Grousbeck announced the Celtics’ selection of Brown during a draft event at TD Garden.
That criticism only intensified over the offseason, coming off a Game 7 to forget from Brown in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
However, those critics are beginning to realize that if the Celtics are to raise Banner 18, number seven will play a significant role, and his contract has proven to be worth every penny.
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