For some reason if a player comes into the league 21 or older they might as well retire already or if they aren’t putting up 50 points – 25 rebounds- 15 assists and 10 blocks per game in their rookie season they are automatically a bust. Unless someone is coming out the gates guns ablazing or not having perfectly linear growth each year they have no chance to become a potential all-star in the league. Even though most 18 year old prospects are entirely unpredictable drafts are seen as forgone conclusions on who will become an all-star and who will be a bust.
Coming into the 2016 NBA season the subsequent draft was thought to be a 2 player draft, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, and it was at best considered an average draft. After the first two picks there was no consensus 3rd pick and these analysts were essentially throwing darts after doing 12 spins blindfolded to make their draft board. A whole array of players from big men like Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss to guards like Jamal Murray, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield, and Jaylen Brown were all considered for the pick. After the Brooklyn Nets barely meant the standard to be an NBA team the Celtics were slated for the 3rd pick and had to navigate throughout the minefield of busts throughout the top 3. And when the pick came around the Celtics selected the Cal Freshman Forward Jaylen Brown.
The General reaction from the majority of the Celtics fan base, social media, and analysts hurled hate towards the pick for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, a majority of the crowd felt that Jaylen Brown was a horrible pick and they wanted someone like Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield instead. Secondly, for the crowd that felt Jaylen Brown was a good pick another majority of the crowd thought Ainge could’ve traded down to the 6th or 7th pick and still have gotten him with obtaining future assets. Lastly, aside from taking any of the picks it was rumored that Jimmy Butler was going to be dealt from Chicago and with Ainge accumulating all sorts of assets the Celtics were a top destination. This final crowd was upset that rather than trade for Jimmy Butler they took a player in hopes of them becoming as good or better than Jimmy Butler.
After his rookie season the Jaylen Brown Hate Group was out in full force, regardless of if he was given a full chance to showcase himself as a player. While Jaylen showed flashes of immense potential he played just 17 minutes per game. On the offensive end he was relegated to sitting in the corner for the majority of possessions or was used as a backdoor cutter to the rim due to his slashing and athletic ability. Out of his shot attempts 63% came off of either 0 or 1 dribbles and was never really creating for himself rather getting set up by the rest of the team. Although he kept the defense honest with his slashing ability which helped space the floor, his most impressive performances came on the defensive as Jaylen was a fantastic on-ball defender for a rookie.
Following his year 1 performance the biggest gripe was his shooting ability as he shot 29% on 3 attempts in college and did show improvement with 34% from three but only attempted 1.7 threes in his rookie season. As Jaylen noted himself he made it a point to improve upon, and that he did. In his sophomore season he attempted 4.4 threes on 40% shooting from three while further improving his defense oftentimes being stuck on the opposition’s best wing. While Jaylen was improving his shot-making ability much like his rookie season roughly 51% of his shots came without even 1 dribble. Even without this shot-creating ability he took an enormous jump forward upping his ppg from 6.6 to 14.5, rebounds from 2.8 to 5, and went from 17 minutes per game to 30 minutes.
Coming into last season the Celtics and Jaylen Brown were supposed to take another huge leap with everyone healthy, however, it was only regression from the team and specifically from Jaylen. With the return of Gordon Hayward Brown was relegated back to the bench and had his minutes cut from 30.7 to 25.9 and his play on the court plummeted through the Earth’s core and looked like an unconfident, entirely different player. Fast forward to this season there was severe doubt about Jaylen being able to return to form but with returning back to the starting line-up and plenty of shots to go around he has looked like a different beast. As he has only further improved his ability as an on-ball defender his game on the offensive end has taken a jump unimaginable from his rookie year. No longer has he been relegated to spot-up shots or others to create for him and some of the moves he has pulled out of his bag are flat-out ridiculous. With a way tighter handle Brown has been able to create for himself on the offensive end transforming the Celtics offensive end and averaging 20 ppg on an incredibly efficient 59TS%. Although Jaylen has a ways to go as a team defender and as a playmaker he undoubtedly looks on track to make an All-Star team in his career and take the Celtics to a next level.
The Closeout 