Relax everyone — Jaylen Brown will be just fine

On the heels of a lackluster Japanese Convention Finals, and the following signing of a historic supermax extension, Jaylen Brown has grow to be certainly one of the most scrutinized stars within the NBA. Final night time, he didn’t have his greatest displaying — nevertheless it additionally wasn’t the catastrophe that some media and followers have made it out to be.

In a 108-104 win towards the Knicks, Brown completed with 11 factors, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He missed all 4 of his three-point makes an attempt, and ended the night time 4-of-11 from the sphere.

To make issues worse, Jaylen Brown had a brutal 35 second stretch late within the fourth quarter — there’s no denying it. With 4:45 left in a tied ball recreation, he pushed the ball and appeared for Jrue Vacation down low, a move that was simply intercepted by Jalen Brunson and led to a Julius Randle transition three. After that made basket, Brown inbounded the ball to Jayson Tatum, and Immanuel Quickley snuck in from behind and picked that one off, too.

To cap off the sequence, Brown fouled Quentin Grimes on a nook three. Whereas Grimes couldn’t convert on the 4-point play, the Knicks pulled forward 99-93 with simply over 4 minutes to go. It appeared the Celtics have been in retailer for an additional fourth quarter collapse, however they responded and executed within the clutch, holding the Knicks to only 5 factors the remainder of the way in which and in the end popping out on high.

Picture by Elsa/Getty Photos

Brown’s efficiency final night time has largely been scrutinized by this tough sequence of selections. While you’re the proprietor of the league’s richest-ever contract, each dangerous move, misplaced ball, or defensive mistake turns into a nationwide information story.

Nevertheless, this microcosm of poor choice making was not consultant of all the recreation performed. In addition to that sequence, he didn’t have a single turnover in 38 minutes of motion. In distinction, Jayson Tatum turned the ball over 4 occasions, and Al Horford 3 occasions. (Brown was additionally not solely accountable for his second turnover — Tatum was fairly lackadaisical in coming to the ball on that play).

Most significantly, the Cs received the ball recreation. Jaylen Brown possessed the second highest +/- on the group, ending a +8 on the night time, second to solely Kristaps Porzingis (+13) who had a superb first displaying. Brown additionally led the group with 5 assists.

With a couple of exceptions, Brown didn’t drive issues offensively, making an attempt almost half as many discipline targets (11) as he averaged final season (20.6). For many who have been frightened about his potential to defer to Porzingis and others on the roster, that willingness to sacrifice his personal scoring needs to be a welcome signal.

“It’s one recreation. We all know how particular he’s,” Tatum mentioned when requested about his co-star’s efficiency. “Everybody goes to haven’t nice capturing nights, however he nonetheless impacted the sport in different methods. He acquired some key rebounds and unfastened balls on the finish that gave us some extra possessions.”

Defensively, Brown performed a key function in limiting each of the Knicks stars. Julius Randle completed the sport with simply 14 factors on 5-22 capturing, whereas Jalen Brunson completed with 15 on 6-21 capturing. Brown had a 105.1 defensive score, good for fourth-best on the group, and guarded Brunson and Barrett for a mixed 38 possessions. Collectively, the pair scored simply 6 factors with Brown as their major defender.

“I’m not going to shoot the ball nice some nights, KP’s not — it’s all about the way you impression the sport in different methods,” Tatum mentioned. “JB goes to be high-quality, he’ll in all probability have an amazing recreation on Friday.”

Tatum is true. JB goes to be high-quality. In spite of everything, we’re criticizing a man who averaged an environment friendly 26.6 factors per recreation final yr. We’re speaking a few man who earned Second Staff All-NBA. Brown shot 56.8% within the preseason (in distinction, Tatum shot 40%). Two years in the past, Brown went off for 46 factors on Opening Evening towards the Knicks.

In an 82-game season, Jaylen Brown goes to have a lot extra lackluster performances. But when each mistake he makes turns into a debate concerning the deserves of his $303 million contract extension, we’re in for a protracted and tiring yr.