Jaylen Brown re-signs for 4 years/$115 million

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TripleOT

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Siakam got the all star nod this season and Brown didn’t, but JB clearly and completely dominated their playoff matchup. Jaylen would never admit it, but he must have taken this matchup personally.

I get it that Siakam is a run out type offensive player who thrives on high energy takes to the basket during the long NBA season, but Brown even bested him on getting run outs in a playoff series

In Game 7, when Brown’s outside shot deserted him early, he showed great maturity and got his points near the basket.

On defensive switches, he made it very difficult for Toronto’s quick smaller guards. Siakam was picked on badly by Tatum when he was switched onto the young Celtics mega star.

There aren’t many NBA players who can guard 1 to 4 effectively, run the floor like a gazelle, shoot above league average from two and three, score 20 PPG, and can come through in the clutch.

Brown might get overshadowed a bit by Tatum, but he’s about as special. It’s almost unfair to the rest of the league that these two young superstars are on the same team, playoff tested already on their early 20s, and who complement and support each other so strongly.
 

The Social Chair

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The narrative about it being bad to be drafted by the Celtics in 2016 and 2017 because of limited playing time (and spotlight) didn't quite pan out.
 

lovegtm

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The narrative about it being bad to be drafted by the Celtics in 2016 and 2017 because of limited playing time (and spotlight) didn't quite pan out.
Yeah, turns out that those 2 guys have now been 2 of the best 3 players on two conference finals runs, and neither has received a penny of 2nd contract money yet.
 

JakeRae

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Yeah, turns out that those 2 guys have now been 2 of the best 3 players on two conference finals runs, and neither has received a penny of 2nd contract money yet.
Jaylen is our 4th best player. Smart contributes as much on offense at this point (maybe more) and is a vastly better defender. That was probably true 2 years ago too, although it may have been closer since Jaylen definitely was a better offensive player than Smart at that time.
 

amarshal2

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Jaylen is our 4th best player. Smart contributes as much on offense at this point (maybe more) and is a vastly better defender. That was probably true 2 years ago too, although it may have been closer since Jaylen definitely was a better offensive player than Smart at that time.
Don’t confuse one series with overall performance. I think there’s a reasonable argument that Smart’s defensive edge is larger than Brown’s offensive edge but neither is close. Brown is a much better offensive player (look at all the efficiency metrics) and Smart is a much better defensive player (eye test, on/off splits).

I also think Brown is likely to improve more rapidly in handle, passing, and team defense than Smart is likely to improve in his offensive weaknesses (scoring inside the arc). So even if it’s close now I think Jaylen projects to be a lot better soon.
 

JakeRae

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Don’t confuse one series with overall performance. I think there’s a reasonable argument that Smart’s defensive edge is larger than Brown’s offensive edge but neither is close. Brown is a much better offensive player (look at all the efficiency metrics) and Smart is a much better defensive player (eye test, on/off splits).

I also think Brown is likely to improve more rapidly in handle, passing, and team defense than Smart is likely to improve in his offensive weaknesses (scoring inside the arc). So even if it’s close now I think Jaylen projects to be a lot better soon.
I’m not confusing a series with overall performance. Jaylen is a much better scorer than Smart, but Smart is better at creating offense and a much much much better passer. The balance of those skills probably favors Jaylen as an offensive player, but not by much, and I think some of that advantage is dissipated as teams clamp down in the playoffs and Smart’s creation and passing take on greater significance.

Whatever the future may hold, Smart is the better player right now.
 

Jimbodandy

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This is the type of game that shows JBs evolution. 26 on 17 shots, 7/5/3/1 1TO. Affecting the game at both ends.

It's a joy watching these guys grow up.
 

NomarsFool

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One thing that puzzles me a lot is why JB ends up standing in the corner so much in the Celtics half-court offense. I think he's better than just a 3P threat from the corner. Is he not particularly adept at cuts and moving without the ball?

The other frustrating thing about him (at times), is that sometimes he seems to sort of fall asleep or not be paying attention on defense. This happens to all players, but I feel like it happens to him a little bit more. I think he's a great on-ball defender, really good. But, I feel like it's not super uncommon to see JB's guy move without the ball and get an easy basket while JB wasn't paying attention.

All that said, he had a monster game and I was really excited to see what he was able to do last game. I'd like to see him have those sorts of games with more regularity. He obviously has it in him.
 

slamminsammya

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One thing that puzzles me a lot is why JB ends up standing in the corner so much in the Celtics half-court offense. I think he's better than just a 3P threat from the corner. Is he not particularly adept at cuts and moving without the ball?

The other frustrating thing about him (at times), is that sometimes he seems to sort of fall asleep or not be paying attention on defense. This happens to all players, but I feel like it happens to him a little bit more. I think he's a great on-ball defender, really good. But, I feel like it's not super uncommon to see JB's guy move without the ball and get an easy basket while JB wasn't paying attention.

All that said, he had a monster game and I was really excited to see what he was able to do last game. I'd like to see him have those sorts of games with more regularity. He obviously has it in him.
Off ball defense is in my mind his greatest weakness but also his greatest opportunity to add to the team. He isn't a guy you can run your offense through but that's not really needed with this roster.
 

benhogan

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One thing that puzzles me a lot is why JB ends up standing in the corner so much in the Celtics half-court offense. I think he's better than just a 3P threat from the corner. Is he not particularly adept at cuts and moving without the ball?.
JB drains corner 3s at a very efficient rate. BUT love when he goes to the rim strong, draws and kicks out for a step in 3 for others. He should be a 1-man wrecking crew VS. the 2-3 if he gets aggressive with Herro/Duncan backline.

This is the beginning of a battle with Miami over the next half-decade, by next season JB will be handling Bam on his own
 

NomarsFool

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The other day on sports radio they were revisiting the rumored trade of the pick that became Brown for Jimmy Butler. The argument they were making (I think it was unanimous for the radio hosts) was that right now they would rather have Butler than Brown, because Butler was showing to be a bigger force in the playoffs (at the time). One of them did acknowledge that moving forward, Brown will likely be the bigger contributor, but "today" they were saying they wish that trade had been made.

The big flaw in their argument, however, was that IF they'd make that trade, TODAY, Jimmy Butler might still be playing for Miami. Of course, the Celtics might have been able to retain him as a free agent - but certainly no guarantee of that. So, would the Celtics have gone further in the playoffs the last two years with Butler instead of Brown (I have no idea whether with that trade Hayward could still have come)? Brown played really well in the playoffs in past years, I think. But, the biggest issue is that I'd hate to be playing in the playoffs this year without either player. I guess the counterargument is that Brown might have chosen not to re-sign - but rookies almost always do.
 

BaseballJones

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Butler vs. Brown, 2020 playoffs:

Butler: 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.1 steals
Brown: 21.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals

Butler's had some huge moments, but it's hard to say that overall, Butler is playing much better than Brown. I know stats aren't everything, but Brown's been really good.
 

nighthob

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The big flaw in their argument, however, was that IF they'd make that trade, TODAY, Jimmy Butler might still be playing for Miami. Of course, the Celtics might have been able to retain him as a free agent - but certainly no guarantee of that. So, would the Celtics have gone further in the playoffs the last two years with Butler instead of Brown (I have no idea whether with that trade Hayward could still have come)? Brown played really well in the playoffs in past years, I think. But, the biggest issue is that I'd hate to be playing in the playoffs this year without either player. I guess the counterargument is that Brown might have chosen not to re-sign - but rookies almost always do.
The even bigger flaw is that Chicago rejected #3 in 2016 for Butler. They wanted multiple Brooklyn picks, other number ones, and Butler’s BFF (Crowder) in the deal and weren’t willing to compromise on any of it.
 

nighthob

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We're sure that #3 was offered?
The stories at the time were that Ainge offered Chicago the Brooklyn pick and filler for Jimmy Butler and Chicago demanded multiple Brooklyn picks, other firsts, and were insistent on Jae Crowder. Boston was willing to give up any non Brooklyn #1s and include anyone not named Crowder or Smart in addition to the 2016 Brooklyn first, but Chicago was determined to “win” the trade.

Butler had a rep as a flaming butthead back then and Ainge, understandably, wanted to hold on to Butler’s BFF and Marcus to maintain control of the clubhouse. So I’m thrilled that Chicago stood on principle and ended up dealing Butler to Minnesota in order to move up in a later draft.
 

Eddie Jurak

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What sets Tatum and Kemba above Brown offensively is that they are adept at creating their own shot and Brown really isn't. That said, as a complementary offensive guy Brown is really good. Compared to the earlier part of his career, he is so much better in transition and in attacking the basket - you very rarely see him called for a charge anymore because he knows how to avoid that. At the rim he has a good sense of when to go right up vs when to pause and let the defender fly past him and out of bounds before going up. Also he is very good shooting the three as a catch and shoot guy.

One of the very encouraging post-bubble things we have seen is more complementary play from Brown and Tatum.
 

Eddie Jurak

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Jaylen Brown is really shooting the lights out in this series.

Game 1: 6-14, 3-4 from 3, 17 points, his worst shooting game
Game 2: 8-14, 2-4 from 3, 21 points
Game 3: 11-17, 1-2 from 3, 26 points
Game 4: 8-14, 4-7 from 3, 21 points
Game 5: 12-23, 4-10 from 3, 28 points
 

NomarsFool

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He’s been awesome. Very strong and fairly consistent series for him. He’s been an assassin on those corner threes. One small quibble with his game is I’d like to see him get a little better from the line.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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He’s been awesome. Very strong and fairly consistent series for him. He’s been an assassin on those corner threes. One small quibble with his game is I’d like to see him get a little better from the line.
You know he's shooting .833 from the line in the playoffs?

JB needs to get to the line more. He should be like Butler, shooting 6-8 FTs a game or more. It's just that he's so athletic he can go around, past, or over almost everyone.
 

benhogan

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You know he's shooting .833 from the line in the playoffs?

JB needs to get to the line more. He should be like Butler, shooting 6-8 FTs a game or more. It's just that he's so athletic he can go around, past, or over almost everyone.
JB went from .658 on FTs last season to .724 this season (on more attempts) that's a sizeable leap.

In the playoffs, he's 50/60, .833

On every miss, Jaylen Brown has to be sprinting up the court because he's a complete mismatch, in transition, with the entire NBA.
 

Cesar Crespo

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You know he's shooting .833 from the line in the playoffs?

JB needs to get to the line more. He should be like Butler, shooting 6-8 FTs a game or more. It's just that he's so athletic he can go around, past, or over almost everyone.
I wonder if that causes him to be more efficient or less efficient. Avoiding contact would allow him to get a better shot off and shoot at higher %. I don't know how one would figure that out factoring and 1s.
 

slamminsammya

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Brown doesn't throw down very hard but he looks effortless in transition. It seems like guys don't even try jumping with him, he just gets up to the hoop so quick, usually he is just laying it in softly but its remarkable how frequently he seems to be at the hoop without any real contest.
 

Cesar Crespo

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JB went from .658 on FTs last season to .724 this season (on more attempts) that's a sizeable leap.

In the playoffs, he's 50/60, .833

On every miss, Jaylen Brown has to be sprinting up the court because he's a complete mismatch, in transition, with the entire NBA.
Went from attempting 1.6 to 3.3 to 2.7 to 4.3 FTS. His FT% have gone from 68.5 to 64.4 to 65.8 to 72.4. Probably safe to ignore his rookie year due to SS.

The difference between72.4% and 65.8% this year was worth about .30 points per game for Brown. Last year, it would have been .18 (far less attempts).
 

benhogan

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Went from attempting 1.6 to 3.3 to 2.7 to 4.3 FTS. His FT% have gone from 68.5 to 64.4 to 65.8 to 72.4. Probably safe to ignore his rookie year due to SS.

The difference between72.4% and 65.8% this year was worth about .30 points per game for Brown. Last year, it would have been .18 (far less attempts).
He averaged 3.1 made FTM/gm vs 1.8gm the season before (with more mins/gm)

Quite often we talk about Tatum putting on 10-15lbs of muscle helping him play through contact (not extend his off arm). Well JB is there body wise now and IMO it helps with his finishing/drawing fouls.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Another interesting stat
JB's FG% from 0-3"
17: .614
18: .622
19: .659
20: .703!

Not all that shocking considering the gain in size and handle.

Another one
% of 2PFG assisted
17: .623
18: .536
19: .571
20: .477

% of shots from 0-3"
17: .404
18: .356
19: .314
20: .269


Despite creating more shots for himself and moving further away from the basket, his 2PFG% has climbed up anyway. A lot of this is because he's improved his mid range game considerably.

2PFG%
17: .507
18. .507
19: .529
20: .543

Rookie Year to now
3-10": .344 to .321 to .400 to .407
10-16": .344 to .409 to .437 to .488
16-<3: .298 to .368 to .366 to .366


Those are all very good trends. His other rate stats haven't changed much since his rookie year but he's so much more efficient.
 

lovegtm

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Another interesting stat
JB's FG% from 0-3"
17: .614
18: .622
19: .659
20: .703!

Not all that shocking considering the gain in size and handle.

Another one
% of 2PFG assisted
17: .623
18: .536
19: .571
20: .477

% of shots from 0-3"
17: .404
18: .356
19: .314
20: .269


Despite creating more shots for himself and moving further away from the basket, his 2PFG% has climbed up anyway. A lot of this is because he's improved his mid range game considerably.

2PFG%
17: .507
18. .507
19: .529
20: .543

Rookie Year to now
3-10": .344 to .321 to .400 to .407
10-16": .344 to .409 to .437 to .488
16-<3: .298 to .368 to .366 to .366


Those are all very good trends. His other rate stats haven't changed much since his rookie year but he's so much more efficient.
49% from 10-16” is really useful for creating efficient offense and playmaking for others. Guys who have a midrange sweet spot they can get to are valuable.
 

Cesar Crespo

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He averaged 3.1 made FTM/gm vs 1.8gm the season before (with more mins/gm)

Quite often we talk about Tatum putting on 10-15lbs of muscle helping him play through contact (not extend his off arm). Well JB is there body wise now and IMO it helps with his finishing/drawing fouls.
Yeah, I didn't use FTM because he attempted way more this year. I used this years attempts * last years FT%.
 

Cesar Crespo

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49% from 10-16” is really useful for creating efficient offense and playmaking for others. Guys who have a midrange sweet spot they can get to are valuable.
Yeah but is it maintainable? That stat stuck out like a sore thumb to me. Is there a place to look up league average shooting % from range?

Like, what does the average NBA player shoot from 10-16?
 

bigq

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Maybe I’m off base and I’ve not looked at the data previously but it seems somewhat remarkable to me that Brown only got to the free throw line once last night despite a lot of drives to the basket. 11 of his 23 attempts were inside of 9 ft. I hope he and JT remain aggressive driving to the rim. It was a big factor in last night’s game.
 

Saints Rest

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Another interesting stat
JB's FG% from 0-3"
17: .614
18: .622
19: .659
20: .703!

Not all that shocking considering the gain in size and handle.

Another one
% of 2PFG assisted
17: .623
18: .536
19: .571
20: .477

% of shots from 0-3"
17: .404
18: .356
19: .314
20: .269


Despite creating more shots for himself and moving further away from the basket, his 2PFG% has climbed up anyway. A lot of this is because he's improved his mid range game considerably.

2PFG%
17: .507
18. .507
19: .529
20: .543

Rookie Year to now
3-10": .344 to .321 to .400 to .407
10-16": .344 to .409 to .437 to .488
16-<3: .298 to .368 to .366 to .366


Those are all very good trends. His other rate stats haven't changed much since his rookie year but he's so much more efficient.
49% from 10-16” is really useful for creating efficient offense and playmaking for others. Guys who have a midrange sweet spot they can get to are valuable.
The guys from Spinal Tap would like to know if we are playing “Stonehenge” tonight.
 
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bankshot1

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Maybe I’m off base and I’ve not looked at the data previously but it seems somewhat remarkable to me that Brown only got to the free throw line once last night despite a lot of drives to the basket. 11 of his 23 attempts were inside of 9 ft. I hope he and JT remain aggressive driving to the rim. It was a big factor in last night’s game.
As I was sucking down my rum and cokes and getting frustrated watching them in the 1st half, I posted a couple of times in the game thread that the Celt's should attack the rim and at least get FTs, and then when they did not getting calls-the disparity of calls in the paint. It didn't figure. The Heat are a very good team but it seemed there were different criteria triggering or not triggering calls. Eventually it didn't matter, or maybe it was too much rum and not enough coke.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Jimbodandy

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Yeah but is it maintainable? That stat stuck out like a sore thumb to me. Is there a place to look up league average shooting % from range?

Like, what does the average NBA player shoot from 10-16?
This is a great question. Maybe there is some future regression from that high of a rate. But this does appear to be a staple in his arsenal and rightly so. He elevates so well that there is typically not a real contest on it. And by credibly taking that shot, it forces the rim protection to defend it. That opens up a lot of other shit.
 

Cesar Crespo

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For reference, from 2013 to 2020, Stephen Curry shot .487 from 10-16.

For his career, he's at .454 but 2013-2020 is a sample size of 519 games. His first 3 years, he was at .377.
 

benhogan

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Maybe I’m off base and I’ve not looked at the data previously but it seems somewhat remarkable to me that Brown only got to the free throw line once last night despite a lot of drives to the basket. 11 of his 23 attempts were inside of 9 ft. I hope he and JT remain aggressive driving to the rim. It was a big factor in last night’s game.
when JB gets a head of steam in transition opponents just bounce off him, like no other Celtic.
Pace is so important for this team in this series
 

Imbricus

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This is a great question. Maybe there is some future regression from that high of a rate. But this does appear to be a staple in his arsenal and rightly so.
Aren't a lot of these 10'-16' ones where he elevates on the jump shot near the foul line and gets a really good look at the basket? If so, I would think his rate of making them is very sustainable, considering his leaping ability, his hang time, and his excellent body control. It's almost like he's taking a slow-motion shot.
 

amarshal2

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He’s also got the fadeaway down from that range. He’s got a limited selection of shots he takes near the paint but he has really nailed the ones he takes. It’s not like he has gotten a lot of lucky bounces on low volume. He drains those shots confidently with regularity for 2 years now.
 

lovegtm

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Jaylen being able to initiate is really big, and not just while Kemba is out. It would let them use Kemba off-ball more (where he is one of the higher-gravity players in the league), and minimize the impact Kemba's knee takes when he gets into his bag as the primary off the dribble.
 

Van Everyman

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I didn’t see last night’s game but agree. The one thing I think you have to wonder w Brown is: does he have the mental attitude to initiate when other guys want the ball too? It’s one thing to do it when you are one of two main options but I feel like he had seemed overly deferential and passive when surrounded by Kyrie, Kemba (and sometimes even Hayward) types.

I guess we will see.
 

Over Guapo Grande

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It was a (pleasant) shock, to me, that Jaylen was the one to step to the line to take the FT on the defensive 3 second T early in the game (2nd quarter maybe?). Definitely not something that would have happened 2 years ago.
 
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