Celtics
Brown is averaging 28.8 points since the All-Star break.
Jaylen Brown is playing some of the best basketball of his career this season, and he’s been particularly lethal since the All-Star break.
He’s averaging 28.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 54.3 percent from the floor and 41.3 percent from 3, during that span. Brown has scored 20-plus in all 13 games, 30-plus six times, and 40-plus once, and he’s often been the best player on the floor.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla has taken notice, sharing with reporters that he’s seeing “great stuff” from Brown.
“I love just the way he’s carried himself out there on the court,” Mazzulla told reporters. “He’s processing each and every possession on both ends of the floor.”
Mazzulla said Brown is taking the shots that he wants and making plays for both himself and others.
“It’s been an honor to coach him,” Mazzulla said. “He’s been just playing well-rounded basketball on both ends. It’s been fun to watch.”
Brown attributes it to “natural maturity.” He said he’s gotten better through experience and become more professional, adding that opportunity never hurts.
“I think throughout the years, my opportunity has varied,” Brown told reporters. “Not because of my lack of skill set. We just had a lot of big-time players that have come through this organization. I was just patient, kept getting better, and now it’s my time.”
Pistons coach Monty Williams said Brown is particularly tough to cover now because he “shoots the lights out.”
Brown also drew praise from NBA analyst Tim Legler, who gushed about Brown’s development while speaking on “The Old Man and the Three” with JJ Redick.
“I’m not going to say that I’ve always loved watching Jaylen Brown play,” Legler said. “I do now. Right now, I love watching this dude play.”
Legler said he believes players often reach their peak in between age 25 and 31, as they mature, round out their games, and continue to grind. He sees that from Brown.
“It’s all coming together for him,” Legler said.
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