When Cedric Maxwell announced Jaylen Brown as the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, a genuine look of surprise crossed Brown’s face.
“I wasn’t expecting that at all. I don’t ever win s—,” Brown said as he sat at the podium postgame with the Larry Bird Trophy gleaming before him. “I was just happy that we won.”
No matter how often Brown has been overlooked in the past, his performance in the Conference Finals demanded attention, and as he raised the trophy, enveloped by his teammates’ embraces, the broad smile on his face was undeniably well-deserved.
A year prior, on the same stage, Brown endured what he described as one of the worst games of his career. Defeat weighed heavily on his mind as he faced reporters following a crushing loss in Game 7 to the Miami Heat, feeling he had disappointed the city.
“We failed,” Brown said after the loss. “I failed. We let the whole city down.”
Brown used that failure as fuel, driven by a desire for redemption that he ultimately achieved by winning the Larry Bird Trophy.
“It was special,” Jayson Tatum, who finished as runner-up Eastern Conference Finals MVP, said on Brown earning the recognition. “[It's] big-time to be rewarded for how you played. That’s a special accomplishment for him and for everybody.”
The 27-year-old stepped up for the Celtics in the second half of Game 4, tallying 19 points, two assists, six rebounds, three steals, and a crucial block on Andrew Nembhard, which led to his assist on Derrick White’s game-winning shot.
Brown’s impact in the series goes well beyond his 29.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. It was felt in every game: from his corner-three saving Game 1 to his 40-point performance in Game 2, timely buckets and defense down the stretch in Game 3, and a monster second half that featured the steal and pass that sent the Celtics to the NBA Finals in Game 4.
“He is unreal. I knew he was unreal when I got here, but the great thing about JB is he’s gotten better every single year that he’s been in this league, which is a testament to his hard work and dedication,” Derrick White said.
“He was unreal this whole series, just on both sides of the ball, a complete player that you don’t really see much these days. Both sides of the ball, he was unreal, and I love being his teammate.”
Brown has been one of the most scrutinized players in the NBA, dating back to the day he was drafted when fans booed after Wyc Grousbeck announced the team would be selecting Brown to fans assembled at TD Garden for a draft event.
Eight years later, Brown continues to be overlooked – being left off the All-Defensive and All-NBA teams – despite being the second-best player on a 64-win team, making it all the more satisfying to see him finally get some recognition.
“It’s even better because he didn’t expect it,” Jrue Holiday said. “That didn’t matter to him. It was about winning and whatever it took, however long it took. When you have that mentality and that mindset, you see great people getting rewarded for the things that they do. It just brings joy.”
“I’m super excited for him. He’s been First Team All-NBA for the whole season. Wish he would’ve gotten that, but to see him get this award is big time.”
The All-Star wing may never get the consistent recognition he deserves, and that’s a reality he has learned to embrace.
“Just embrace it,” Brown said. “At this point, I’m at that phase in my life where I just embrace all forms of negativity or whatever the case is. Some stuff I don’t understand. It ain’t meant for me to understand it. But I just know who I am and what I stand for sometimes makes people feel uncomfortable, and sometimes I miss out on things, I miss out on opportunities, awards, marketing deals, or whatever the case may be. And at this point, I just embrace it.”
“I am who I am, and I’m gonna stand on my beliefs. And I’m one of those people who would die for what they believe in. So, I just embrace it at this point, and I’m grateful that I’m able to be in this position, and energy is about to shift.”
However, the Celtics are lucky to have Brown the way he is.
His playing resume speaks for itself – six trips to the Eastern Conference Finals in eight years, second only to Magic Johnson for the most in NBA history before the age of 28 – three All-Star selections, an All-NBA nod, and now a second trip to the NBA Finals.
“I think it’s great,” Al Horford said on Brown winning Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
“Jaylen deserves it. Has really been playing so well this year. You can see the improvement in his game. Just his growth. And this is something that we’re all celebrating with him, and it’s very well-deserved.”
Off the court, he’s just as important.
“Finding guys that are so passionate about just getting better as players and people, and Jaylen is one of those,” Joe Mazzulla said. “From the first day I’ve been here, he’s just, he’s become more, just like open-minded towards just growing as a basketball player. You see what he’s done in the community. And I just really, really value the time that I get to spend with him on and off the court. He just keeps getting better and better. I’m happy for him.”
Just last offseason, some foolishly advocated for the Celtics to move on from Brown and for his pairing with Tatum to be dismantled. Now, they stand just four games away from achieving what many doubted they could: win an NBA championship together.
As Brown gears up for this final push, he exudes confidence, fully embracing his status as one of the NBA’s elite players, indifferent to the opinions of the naysayers.
“I think I’m one of the best two-way wings, guards, whatever you want to say, in his game. I thought this year I’ve taken a level, and I’ve increased it,” Brown said.
“I don’t care who sees what, as long as my team knows my value, my city knows my value, my family. That’s all I really care about. But I like to set my hat on just being a versatile two-way wing and can do both at any point in time, and the last kind of four minutes of this game, you saw that.”
While he may not always receive the recognition he deserves, the city undoubtedly understands his value now, and it will become even more evident if and when he and the Celtics raise Banner 18, cementing a legacy that will last forever.
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