An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Jaylen Brown consistently made the Hawks pay for blitzing him and trapping him in the paint in the Celtics' 113-103 win on Sunday.

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Sunday at TD Garden, the Atlanta Hawks dared Jaylen Brown to primarily beat them by facilitating.

The visitors blitzed him as he came off screens and trapped him in the paint. They recognized the potential for that strategy to produce turnovers. Even if it didn't, if the two-time All-Star consistently beat them as a playmaker, they seemed willing to tip their cap.

Sam Hauser somehow shot the 3 before he even caught the ball ⏩🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ia26voPsQc

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 27, 2023

Brown relished the challenge, repeatedly capitalizing on the Celtics' numbers advantage created by Atlanta sending multiple defenders at him, producing one secondary assist after another.

He also had three primary assists and did an outstanding job taking care of the ball under pressure, only coughing it up twice.

And while it took 19 shots, reflecting a lack of efficiency, he also did what he does best, generating 21 points, including two that came from putting Clint Capela on a poster.

JUICE ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/DCQTXndI2i

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 27, 2023

After Boston's 113-103 win against his hometown team, Brown discussed striking a balance between scoring and setting the table for his teammates.

"That's the role that I want," he expressed. "That's the role that I want to continue to show (I'm) improving, and I appreciate the coaching staff for continuing to allow me to be a playmaker because I definitely feel like I've grown a lot even this season in that role. 

"And teams are gonna continue to try to take away certain things from me, and being patient enough to find the right reads and find our guys in stride, getting open looks. I think that, (for) one, builds confidence for our team, but also puts a lot of pressure on other teams' defenses," adding that he's continuing to "find that line of making those right reads but not losing any of my aggression.

"Part of what has made me who I am is (that) I'm aggressive. I like to -- if I see a lane, I take it. If I get the ball, I'm aggressive every time I touch it. But also having the patience to see when to go and when not to go and who's open. So, it's just a balance."

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics' wing Jaylen Brown (7) Dunks over Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15).

The 27-year-old recognizes the improvement in his game that stems from his ability to become a more dynamic player, one who does a better job of mixing up the pace he operates at and making the correct reads to create for his teammates.

"I think I've grown a lot," stated Brown. "I think I'm a better basketball player than I have been in recent years. I've been able to see things and be able to make plays for others. Tonight, a lot of hockey assists, a lot of getting the ball to the right places, allowing our team to have a good flow (and) a good offense.

But (for) me, it's also about maintaining that balance of when to make those plays but then, also, being that killer and being aggressive when I need to. And I'm still figuring out that balance. But it's definitely, (there are) new challenges, new team, new teammates, but I'm always up to a challenge. I love learning, (and) basketball's something that you continue to learn and grow at, so I'm having fun."

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Jaylen Brown (7) and new Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) have quickly cultivated an impressive chemistry.

As detailed throughout this season, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis has impacted Brown more than anyone else on the Celtics.

The seven-foot-three center is a knockdown shooter, and he allows the latter to make quick, simple reads out of the pick-and-roll. The same applies to when the Atlanta, Georgia native needs a kick-out option after driving downhill.

Between Boston bringing Porzingis and Jrue Holiday into the fold, reshaping their roster's core, and head coach Joe Mazzulla being able to make more of an imprint on how the Celtics play in his second year at the helm, Brown knows this team's far from a finished product as they figure out how to best adapt to new teammates and a different approach.

"Definitely a different style," said the seven-year veteran. "Different team. Tonight, we were out two of our big dogs in Jrue and KP. But (we're) definitely a different team from last year, and all of us have been adjusting, trying to figure out what this team needs to win. 

"And however many games, 15, 16 games in, we still are figuring it out, but we've been winning and figuring it out. We've still got a lot to learn. This team is not a finished product. We've still got a lot to improve on. We still haven't played our best basketball yet, so we've got to continue to win games as we continue to get better at the same time."

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Overcame Poor Second Half vs. Hawks Sunday

Celtics' Loss to Magic Highlights Their Most Concerning Traits

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Best Bucks to Stay atop East at Thanksgiving

Jrue Holiday Shares His Perspective on First Matchup vs. Bucks Since They Traded Him

Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present