Are people expecting too much from Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics this season?
Are people expecting too much from All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown this season? After securing a historic supermax contract extension this past offseason, it is safe to say that expectations went up in lockstep with his paycheck in many corners.
But does the fact that Brown and the rest of his teammates are all sacrificing this season after the team’s front office added a pair of All-Stars to share the starting lineup with the Georgia native? Brown’s role is also less defined with the emergence of other players like Derrick White. On a recent episode of the CLNS Media “Bob Ryan, Jeff Goodman, and Gary Tanguay” podcast, Jimmy Toscano returns to host the show in Ryan and Goodman’s absence, alongside Gary Tanguay, and Brown’s changing role with the team is the focus.
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear their thoughts on the Cal alum’s play so far this season, and whether we ought to adjust our expectations.
‘I think this is the biggest game of the year,’ says Jaylen Brown of Boston’s win vs. the Orlando Magic
The Boston Celtics secured a significant victory against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden this past Friday, breaking a four-game losing streak against the Magic in the process. Despite the challenges of playing on the back end of a back-to-back and missing their top three centers in Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis the Celtics were surprisingly resilient in the 128-111 win over Orlando, going small and fast to rattle the Magic’s expectations.
And it wasn’t just fans of the ball club who were pleasantly surprised by what sounded like a scheduled loss on Friday given how Boston has fared in recent games vs. the Magic. Star forward Jaylen Brown was very pleased with how his team responded to the situation.
PHOTOS: Boston vs. Orlando – Celtics wallop Magic 128-111 despite thin frontcourt https://t.co/NbYsyXylIA pic.twitter.com/hQGaYlx8fM
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 16, 2023
“I think this is the biggest game of the year so far,” said the Georgia native postgame.
“In my opinion, for us, I think one we had a bunch of guys out and were on a back-to-back versus a team that’s been kicking our (expletive) the last four or five times we played,” he suggested. “I think this was the biggest game to me so far.”
With the bench putting up a season-high 47 points and six players scoring in double figures, that speed, ball movement, and focus helped the Celtics secure the win, Boston turning over Orlando 21 times to their own 10.
Lamar Stevens credits teammates for helping him succeed in limited role https://t.co/xJoFzhqKLn pic.twitter.com/ebXaqTDxRP
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire)
December 16, 2023
“I think we came out, even though they came out swinging like the first shot they took was a 3 (…),” added Brown.
“But we took those punches and kept throwing punches back and that’s what we want to instill in our guys. We fight, we make it hard for you, we play the game the right way.”
Seeing the Celtics weather the storm down so many big men was a reassuring site for fans, to be sure. And while the team may still need to address that thin frontcourt depth, if Boston can manage to play this way when the chips are down, the odds of hanging a banner this summer are looking better than ever.
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