After signing his extension on Wednesday, Jaylen Brown reflected on the changes the Celtics have undergone since losing in the conference finals, writes Brian Robb of MassLive. The most significant move was sending Marcus Smart to Memphis in a three-team trade to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Brown said that even though he and Smart clashed frequently over the years, things won’t be the same without his “brother” and one of his best friends on the team.
“Marcus has been somebody that’s, like, we butted heads at times, we fought, we did it all, we put each other in headlocks, etc.,” Brown said. “The journey won’t feel the same without him to be honest. But it’s a part of life, it’s a part of what you do going forward and everything he’s instilled into this organization, everything he’s instilled into this community is still going to be with us, still carried with us. So we’re going to wish him well on his new journey. Obviously the city of Boston is going to feel the loss of his impact when he’s no longer here, but we’ll be able to keep moving forward.”
Brown indicated that he understands why the deal was made and he sees the benefit of having a versatile big man like Porzingis. However, he wants to make sure the Celtics don’t lose the intensity and commitment to defense that Smart inspired.
“I think what Kristaps can bring to us defensively and the additions some of our other guys can bring to us defensively,” Brown said. “… With Marcus gone, we don’t want our defensive identity to go out the door as well, so we have to really emphasize that at the start of training camp.”
There’s more from Boston:
- Brown wasn’t upset that it took more than three weeks to work out his extension, Robb adds in a separate story. Some of that delay was due to an overseas trip that Brown took as part of his duties as an NBPA vice president, but much of the time was needed to reach an agreement on non-monetary details. “I thought from my standpoint, they understood where I came from, I understood where he came from,” Brown said. “It was all about being in the place where it made sense for everybody and I was glad that we were able to finish it, get everything done and be able to have the community here.”
- The Celtics are going through a “healing process” and a “listening process” with Malcolm Brogdon, coach Joe Mazzulla told Souichi Terada of MassLive. It appeared Brogdon was going to be moved in an early version of the Porzingis trade, but that changed when the Clippers pulled out because they didn’t have time to review Brogdon’s medical records before Porzingis picked up his option.
- Mazzulla confirmed that Derrick White will replace Smart as the starting point guard, tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
Am I the only one who believes the Celtics took a backwards this off-season?
Marcus Smart was huge for the locker room and the community off the court and on the court was their best defender, a good playmaker and rebounded who was all about trying to win. Not only that but Grant Williams, was one of their best three point shooters and was also a very valuable 3 and D forward for them, he’s now gone.
And what did they get KP, who’s a nice offensive player but still has a lot of holes in his game too.
Boston has tried to add the third star to Tatum and Brown and failed a couple times be it Hayward, Kemba Walker or Kyrie Irving.
But they’ve clearly gone all in on this and doubled down by giving Brown his extension too.
The defence will deteriorate with no smart and Williams, they lack a leader in the locker room and it’ll be a new thing for Brown to step up and take that responsibility or Tatum. However Sixers with the garden trade request also look to be going backwards, Raptors look like they are going through a rebuild of sorts with no FVV. I think the Bucks will run away, Miami will remain strong, expecting the Knicks to really take off this year and wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pacers have a really good year
I am also in the camp that does not believe the Celtics improved. Defense took a step backward last year, and will now likely dip further.
They are fortunate to be playing in the East. Not convinced you can win a title with Jaylen Brown as your #2 guy. If any 1 of Porzingis, Brogdon or Williams goes down with an injury ….. It’s a wrap!
Boston is planning on playing Porzingis at PF next to Horford at C. Does Boston remember that Dallas made a run to the 2022 Western Conference Finals AFTER they traded Porzingis to Washington??? Porzingis played next to Dwight Powell, and only wanted to shoot 3s. The whole dynamic of the offense changed when they traded him, and put Reggie Bullock back in the lineup. Porzingis teams just don’t win.
Yeah, last year you picked the Nets this time of year.
Whatever.
They gave up 119 points a game or more 7 times in the playoffs last year, their defensive identity left with Udoka. As musch as I love and have defended Smart in the past he played a lot of matador defense in G7. Porzingis now has the chance to come in and be a defensive force, similar to KD when he went to GS, he’s the 3/4th option in the offemse. Might not work out but I don’t think its a bad move.
Yes, Smart does so many positive things on the court. The occasional boneheaded plays aside, Smart is all about making winning plays.
Agree on Grant, he’s about as dangerous on that corner three as they come – it’s still a mystery why Mazzulla kept him out of games during the playoffs.
However, KP will provide steady rim-protection (very underrated part of his game), since Time-Lord can’t seem to ever stay healthy …… not to mention, KP can shoot the long ball as well.
As long as the two J’s play, the CELTICS will be just fine, still be among the top 3 in the East.
Even if all you say is correct …. The problem is that it is no longer about being a Top 2 or 3 team in the East. This is the Boston Celtics. This franchise is supposed to be about winning titles, and making moves to win titles. Don’t think the Celtics have put themselves in that position for 2023-24, and it gets trickier after that. Still got to keep KP, Brogdon and Williams healthy. Horford another year closer to 40. Adding Tatum’s 35% of the salary cap salary to the books.
Im sorry I may be being a bit naive here but aren’t all clubs “supposed to be about winning titles, and making moves to win titles”? Is Boston the only one who historically known to want to win a championship? Is Bill Russell still on the team?
@Very Barry ……. Being a top 2 or 3 in your conference, is about a good of a problem that 80% of the league is dreaming about.
The CELTS are right there – who knows, the J’s might make one more leap this coming season, while the HEAT (lost 2 starters) and BUCKS (new coach, new system) regress some.
Besides, this age of these past few CBA’s, Silver and his team had done what they set out to do – have the best possible parity in the NBA.
One can’t simply make a super team any more (SUNS might make a case). to ensure that ‘chip.
I agree …. Celtics tend to aim to be in the other 20%. Upper Tier NBA franchise. Do they even hang non championship banners? Do they even have room?
Do you feel keeping Smart and signing Williams makes the team better the next two years over getting KP?
Health is a concern of course… but when you correctly state adding Tatum’s salary and watching Horford closing in on 40 – it’s seems they might have made the right decision.
I also don’t think enough has been made about the addition of Marcus Smart to Memphis. Memphis was already a high-energy team. Adding the leadership of Smart with his defense and style of play is a a major bonus. Big upgrade over Dylan Brooks. Had Steven Adams been healthy, Memphis would have beat the Lakers in the First Round. If Memphis can get their hands on a big wing ……
I didn’t like the Smart trade at 1st either but in retrospect they essentially got 2 firsts and Porziņģis for Smart, Gallinari and Muscala.
and it isn’t just that. White, Smart and Brogdon are all essentially combo guards. It really made no sense to have all three of them while only having Horford and R. Williams as bigs.
Some always only look at the negative. I’ve read success only and always favors the positive man (& I’ve I’ve found that true in the stock market). We’ve also heard you have to more forward or you’re going backward. (Huge problem facing America today.)
I believe the Celtics defense may likely be much better than last season. Something was wrong and part of it was our beloved Marcus Smart I think. He kept cheating off his man to double team and I remember open threes raining down on us and killing us. Then I watched Summer League and saw how even raw talent can make threes when open. Also our guards seemed to be unable to stay in front their men. Example Butler going to the hoop. Our D was our fatal flaw.
Now we’re taller thus almost have to be better. We have 7’3″ Kristaps Porzingis coming off his best season, 6’9″ point guard Dalano Blanton, 6’7″ Jordan Walsh with his super long arms and and 6’7″ Oshae Brissett. We also have a more experienced Coach Mazzulla with a new & veteran staff with the time to design a better defensive plan and implement it.
Go Celtics!
Agreed. Currently, the Celtics are worse minus Smart and adding injury prone Porzingis.
Pistons took some 2s to take Joe Harris. Cs could have gave more for the Pistons to take Brogdon. A 1 and 2 2nds should have been able to do it. Then they could have kept Smart.
You should call up Grousbeck and let him know you’re available.
I didn’t catch the live feed, did anyone from the press ask Jaylen Brown about his dribbling skills ?
Nah, they didn’t want to look stupid.
What dribbling skills?