Everybody on the Celtics is excited about Jaylen Brown
In his first preseason action on Tuesday, Jaylen Brown showcased some impressive athleticism and illustrated why the Boston Celtics selected him with the 3rd overall pick in the 2016 draft. As soon as Brown took the floor against the Sixers, he got involved on the offensive end:
Jaylen says Brad immediately drew post play for him when he checked in. Brown hit turnaround/baseline J, which he calls his "bread & butter"
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 5, 2016
Brown finished the game 4 for 9 from the floor with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in 21 minutes, solid numbers for sure, but it was the mismatches he created that really stood out.
His size allows him to post up smaller opposition, and yet he can still blow past larger defenders who have trouble keeping him in front of them. He showcased the latter several times in the 4th quarter Tuesday, particularly when coach Stevens decided to go small towards the end of the game and play Jaylen at the 4. Brown was able to make some huge baskets in the final minutes, helping to get the Celtics back within 1 score:
Jaylen Brown showing off a couple of nice moves in his preseason debut last night #CsUP pic.twitter.com/4KkMmwZqj3
— Celtics News (@CelticsNewsNBA) October 5, 2016
Jaylen was asked his thoughts about playing the 4 spot:
Rookie Jaylen Brown on playing his first #NBA preseason game & the power forward position. #CSN pic.twitter.com/x7HSZgzyl4
— Kwani A. Lunis (@KwaniALunis) October 5, 2016
Second year Celtics point guard Terry Rozier made it clear talking to reporters after the game that he's already excited about what Brown brings to the table, as well as the potential of what he will become:
Terry Rozier on Jaylen Brown "Once game slows down for it's going to be scary for a lot of people" pic.twitter.com/TIGLUvng2f
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 5, 2016
Al Horford and coach Stevens were both also impressed with the versatility from Brown they saw on Tuesday:
Al Horford: "I felt like Jaylen was very impressive. His body and his ability to play multiple positions, it’s gonna be real helpful."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) October 5, 2016
Bard Stevens, via Chris Forsberg of ESPN:
"Even in the NBA, when it’s all said and done, he’s going to be a powerful [player], one of the better athletes, right? Especially on drives," said Stevens. "He’s a hard guy, when he hits you, not to fall back a little. I think that, again, you have to kinda pick your spots of who you’re playing against, but certainly his athleticism is a huge plus. So that’s why we’ve emphasized with him make the open catch-and-shoot shots and learn where you drive and cuts are. Because drives and cuts, and some post-ups, are going to be a good place for him."
If Jaylen can develop his shooting stroke, and a mid-post game, he's going to become a menace for opposing defenses.
Photo Credit - Chris Marion, GETTY IMAGES
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