After earning All-NBA honors for the first time a year ago as a member of the Second Team, Celtics swingman Jaylen Brown wasn’t included on the 2023/24 All-NBA teams that were announced on Wednesday. Brown responded on Thursday by performing like the best player on the court in Boston’s Game 2 win over Indiana, racking up 40 points on 14-of-27 shooting in 38 minutes of action.
Asked after the game if the All-NBA snub served as extra motivation entering Thursday’s contest, Brown initially responded, “No I wouldn’t say that. I mean, we’re two games from the (NBA Finals). So honestly, I don’t got the time to give a f–k.”
However, as Brian Robb of MassLive.com writes, when reporters pressed Brown on his thoughts on the All-NBA voting results, the Celtics star admitted to feeling as if not everyone fully appreciates his game.
“I watch guys get praised and anointed who I feel are half as talented as me on either side of the ball,” Brown said. “But at this point in my life, I just embrace it. It comes with being who I am and what I stand for, and I ain’t changing that. I just come out and I’m grateful to step out onto the floor each and every night, put my best foot forward and get better each and every year. Whether people appreciate it or not, it is what it is.”
While Brown didn’t get enough votes from media members to make an All-NBA team this season, his teammates certainly believe he deserved a spot, as Jay King of The Athletic relays.
“I don’t know what they missed, but Jaylen Brown is one of the 15 best players in this game,” Celtics guard Derrick White said. “The whole season, both sides of the ball, he just did so much for us to help us win games, which is the meaning of the game. It’s a shame.”
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum, who made the All-NBA First Team for a third consecutive year, referred to the honor as “special” and said he doesn’t take it for granted, per Karen Guregian of MassLive.com. “I’m thankful to everybody that’s helped me along the way,” Tatum added. “Success is not something you can achieve by yourself. There’s a lot of people that deserve credit in helping me get to where I’m at.”
- In addition to officially ruling out Kristaps Porzingis (calf strain) for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics announced today (via Twitter) that Luke Kornet is considered doubtful to play on Saturday. Kornet sprained his left wrist in Thursday’s victory. Assuming Kornet is unavailable, the Celtics could rely on smaller lineups when Al Horford rests or could turn to backup center Xavier Tillman, who returned on Thursday and played three minutes after missing Game 1 for personal reasons.
- With Kornet unavailable for most of Game 3, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave playing time to forward Oshae Brissett, who provided a surprise spark after not playing for nearly two weeks, Robb writes for MassLive.com. Brissett scored just two points in his 12 minutes off the bench, but he recorded three steals and matched Brown’s team-high +18 plus/minus mark. “Just trying to do everything I can to get the win,” Brissett said. “Try to do everything I can to give us some energy. We were playing really well. But going into that time, we could definitely turn things around, positive or negative. So I feel like I did a good job of turning us in the positive way and keeping that energy up.”
I mean, who that got named to the All-NBA teams does Jaylen Brown think he’s definitively better than? I’m not a huge Sabonis fan, but otherwise, I actually thought the selections were fairly reasonable
He’s pumping himself up, showing confidence in himself. He was in 16th place in the voting.
Whatever.
I have been of the opinion that Brown is the best player on the C’s for years. Tatum has too much Carmelo in his game for my liking. It is so ironic, that commercial asking if playoff Jason is really a thing. of course its a thing, if dude was mediocre against GS this team would have a ring. Step it up Tatum, C’s will need you to win in the finals.
Tatum is a far better defender, rebounder, and passer than Melo.
Odd comparison.
I agree, but there will still be a couple times a game when his man beats him downcourt in transition or he completely loses his man under the hoop just because of disinterest. And there are too many possessions where he takes the ball in the backcourt and everyone in the building knows he will be taking the shot and too many times he would rather argue with a ref than get back in a play. I’d love to see him cut back on those, he’s going to be a Celtic for a long time and I want to go to some parades.
This narrative is wrong. I love JB but I watch every celtics game and no one ever talks about him until he goes off. JT looks like an average player all night and still puts up 30/10/5
This series is far from over. Loss of two big men can turn the whole thing around for (against) Boston.