I spotted one thing whereas watching Celtics-Pistons on Thursday evening. It’s one thing I’ve recognized subconsciously for some time however hadn’t articulated till now.
When Jayson Tatum enters a recreation, I consider he does so with the mindset that he’s going to take regardless of the protection provides him. If he has one man on him, he’ll rating. If the double comes, he’s going to go. It’s about making the fitting learn and reacting on the fly.
When Jaylen Brown enters a recreation, I consider he does so with the mindset that he’s both going to be aggressive as a scorer or be aggressive as a passer. In fact, he’s greater than able to doing each concurrently, however I consider Brown consciously turns the scoring and passing switches on and off greater than Tatum does.
It’s not that one method is healthier than the opposite. They’re each sensible in their very own method, and their kinds complement one another completely (I’m glad we’re finished with the foolish narrative that they don’t). However, for my part, Brown has already made up his thoughts how he’s going to play as soon as he steps on the ground, based mostly on what he feels the sport wants.
Some nights, he comes out blazing (see: Minnesota Timberwolves) and fires away within the first quarter. Different nights, he’s extra selective and chooses to get his teammates concerned (see: Detroit Pistons). Brown views the sport by a novel lens, which permits him to course of it in a method others don’t. His really feel for the sport has improved considerably all through his profession.
“It’s been enjoyable to look at him develop over the previous few years in his reads,” coach Joe Mazzulla advised reporters earlier this month. “Watching him, you see him having the ability to course of the sport in actual time.”
When Tatum is out, you may assume that Brown would evolve into extra of a scorer. In actuality, he usually consciously elects to grow to be extra of a passer. Brown might drop 30 most nights (and he usually does), however he is aware of that for the Celtics to achieve their full potential, others need to really feel empowered as a lot as their stars do.
Thursday evening, in a 123-99 win over the Pistons, he took simply 12 photographs and racked up six assists. It wasn’t an ideal effort, with 4 turnovers and a few sloppy ball-handling at occasions, however he completed a game-high plus-30 and put his teammates in a great place to succeed. Sure, stellar teammates and a subpar opponent are elements, however he deserves loads of credit score.
“I assumed he set the tone,” Mazzulla advised reporters. “He took 5 photographs within the first half, however he made a degree to essentially push the tempo, to create two on ones, discover his teammates and be a playmaker.”
Joe Mazzulla on Jaylen Brown, who completed a game-high +30:
“I assumed he set the tone. He took 5 photographs within the first half, however he made a degree to essentially push the tempo, to create two on ones, discover his teammates and be a playmaker. That and his protection.” pic.twitter.com/Vq8Xpr9APT
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) December 13, 2024
When Tatum missed final Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to those self same Pistons, Brown added 9 assists.
Final yr in opposition to the Kings in December, with Tatum out, Brown contributed six assists. 9 days later in opposition to the Raptors, he added six extra. Whereas he additionally put the ball within the basket in loads of these video games, it illuminates a bigger pattern the place Brown decides to grow to be extra of a playmaking 1A with Tatum out.
“Everyone goes out they usually repeat what their stars do,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff advised reporters. “Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, these guys might shoot the ball each time they needed to, however they sacrifice themselves to make the fitting play again and again.”
It’s a wholesome reminder that Brown might completely be the highest choice on a contender with a top quality supporting solid. Brown unselfishly blends in, when in actuality, he might simply stand out. He desires to be a part of one thing traditionally nice. When Tatum is out, we get a glimpse into simply how harmful he may be as a passer.
This play is an efficient instance. After getting the steal, Brown might have simply hoisted up a 3. As a substitute, he waited for Jrue Vacation to get open, delivered a slick behind-the-back go on the cash and grinned to point out he was pleased with his work.
Brown, averaging a career-high 4.7 assists, has come a great distance as a passer all through his profession. His earlier excessive was 3.6 final yr, so this has been a big leap. He didn’t settle when he earned Finals MVP; he made tangible enhancements to his recreation, and it’s proven this season.
Subsequent time Tatum is out, and even when he’s not, watch how Brown approaches a recreation. When he’s considering go, it provides one other wrinkle to a star-studded Celtics group and makes them much more unstoppable.
