Jaylen Brown Continues To Fly High On The Court While Flying Under the Radar Off It

The Boston Celtics are two games away from winning their 18th NBA title and Jaylen Brown has set the tone for this team to do it.

I don’t know Jaylen Brown’s family dynamic, however, within the Celtics family it feels that Brown is treated like the middle child.

I don’t believe the Celtics have a big three, instead, they have a big two of Jayson Tatum and Brown, and three high-level role players in Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Robert Williams III.

However, the organization and certainly the fanbase, elevate Smart as part of a big three. So, using that premise, you could look at Smart, Brown, and Tatum as three brothers.

Since Smart has been here the longest, he plays the role of the eldest son who sometimes overstates his value and leadership ability. He still refers to his younger brothers as kids.

Tatum, the youngest and most talented of the trio, fills the role of the youngest son. The cute one, that everyone loves and never really gets angry with. In my own family, I’m the youngest of five. I was and still remain spoiled.

Meanwhile, Brown is the middle son. Often taken for granted, ignored, and overlooked.

In the middle of the NBA Finals, why am I entering into this Freudian exercise? I just want to figure out why Jaylen Brown isn’t getting more credit for this Celtics run that could culminate in the franchise’s 18th championship.

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During the Celtics’ furious game one comeback, where they turned a 15-point third-quarter deficit into a 12-point victory, Brown was the forgotten man. In the fourth quarter alone, Brown had 10 points and 5 assists, yet all the credit went to Al Horford, Derek White, and Jayson Tatum. While Horford and White combined for 11-of-16 on threes for the game, and Tatum dished out 13 assists, it was Brown’s 8-point stretch early in the fourth quarter that got the Celtics back into the game. Yet, Brown’s accomplishments weren’t mentioned in most game stories until the fourth or fifth paragraph.

In game three, Brown scored 27 points, 17 in the first quarter, to go along with 9 rebounds, as the Celtics took a two games to one series lead with a 116-100 win over the Warriors.

Through 21 playoff games this season, Brown is averaging 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, while shooting 48% from the floor and 38% from three. As always, Brown is playing outstanding and consistent defense.

Recently, Brown made a decision that will certainly bring him more attention and branding off the court. Brown recently announced that he is the first NBA star to sign with Kanye West’s marketing agency, Donda Sports.

Brown, already a vice-president of the players association, is one of the brightest, most interesting young stars in the NBA. He is very introspective and not overly demonstrative on the court. Brown very rarely gets into discussions with game officials.

Brown doesn’t have the smooth, exotic game of Jayson Tatum, nor the oversized personality of Marcus Smart. He is a guy who shows up and does his job without much fanfare.

That sounds like a middle child.

John Sapochetti is cohost of the Pick & Roll NBA Podcast with JET & SAP, which is heard here on Full Press Coverage.
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