Will Jaylen Brown be able to live up to his huge deal extension?
“With great power comes great responsibility,” and for Jaylen Brown, it includes fulfilling his massive contract as quickly as can. There is no time to spare; the Boston Celtics are all in, and Brown must be as well after signing a contract deal worth $304 million.
To accomplish this, let’s take a close look at the three important areas where he needs to outperform his colleagues and attain his maximum potential.
Brown must first and foremost develop consistent consistency in his attacking game. Among Celtics players who attempted at least 2.5 three-point attempts per game during the most recent NBA playoffs, Brown’s (35.4%) three-point shooting percentage behind just Jayson Tatum (32.3%) and Al Horford (29.8%).
Three keys to Jaylen Brown playing up to his Boston Celtics contract
While Tatum tried a high volume (8.2 tries per game) and Horford’s long-range power fluctuated, Brown’s three-point shooting remains subpar. This is far from ideal for someone who just signed a massive $304 million contract, putting him under intense pressure to generate results.
As we dig deeper into the nuances of the Bball Index chart below, a clear picture emerges: Jaylen Brown’s three-point shooting consistency is an area that needs to be addressed. Brown must redouble his efforts in honing his shooting mechanics and rediscovering his rhythm if he is to regain his prowess from 2021.
Brown’s strength is attacking the rim, which makes him one of the league’s most dangerous threats while driving to the basket. To achieve greatness, though, he must also establish himself as a genuine threat from beyond the arc.
Consider former Rockets star James Harden, whose triple-threat powers made him an unstoppable force. Brown, however, needs to diversify his offensive arsenal, as he is already opening up opportunities for teammates.
Unfortunately, these opportunities are frequently dependent on his ability to convert three-point attempts. If he is unable to consistently perform from long range, his total impact on the squad will be significantly reduced.
His ISO score is another source of concern. Brown has shown promise as an individual scorer, but he has yet to establish himself as a capable pick-and-roll ball handler or an impactful off-ball player.
According to NBA.com/stats, Brown ran pick-and-roll plays in only 4.2 possessions during the past playoffs, with a score frequency of 28.9%. In comparison, Anthony Edwards, who was in a comparable predicament, improved far faster, with a score frequency of 63.9%.
Brown, like Andrew Wiggins, may benefit greatly from boosting his off-ball activity in order to improve his game. Brown can become a versatile offensive danger by honing his off-ball shooting talents, leaving opponents guessing at every turn.
There is still opportunity for improvement on the defensive side. Brown must become more proactive off the ball, improve his primary defender control, and improve his on-court communication.
While we saw glimpses of his defensive talent under Ime Udoka’s tutelage, his play was regrettably inconsistent last season. Brown’s defenders scored more than half of their attempts near the rim when attacking him (60.6%) during the playoffs. While not bad, this falls short of his actual potential.
Consistent three-point shooting, increased pick-and-roll or off-ball action, and defensive dominance are all critical components that can silence naysayers and take his game to new heights. Brown can unleash his full potential and establish himself as a strong force in the NBA by focusing on these areas.
With the media on his tail and fans both cheering and criticizing, Jaylen Brown must take charge of his fate.
Time is of the essence, and the stakes are high. Will he step up and become the player everyone expects him to be? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Jaylen Brown’s path to greatness is just getting started.
Leave a Reply