Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'

Jaylen Brown set the tone for the Celtics in their sweep of a two-game mini-series vs. the Magic. It was a prime example of his growth as a leader.

Bobby Krivitsky

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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When Jaylen Brown sets the standard for the Celtics, he's an undeniable force who elevates his teammates.

A prime example came in Game 2 of Boston's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Philadelphia 76ers, when after a disastrous home loss against an opposition missing Joel Embiid, Brown took the fight to James Harden from the opening tip, shutting him down throughout the matchup.

Harden, who quickly turned passive, finished with 12 points on 2/14 shooting and earned a plus-minus rating of minus-21.

Conversely, the individual most responsible for silencing him registered 25 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in what Al Horford called "as good of a game as I've ever seen him play."

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Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

With team leaders like Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon and the never-quiet Grant Williams now playing elsewhere, the Celtics hoped Brown and Jayson Tatum would take on even more ownership of the team.

That's been the case to start the 2023-24 campaign. Both were ready for more responsibility on that front. And while the star tandem understands the importance of leading verbally, both like to let their play set the example.

Brown was a one-player system in Boston's sweep of a two-game mini-series with the Orlando Magic. He was the driving force behind the hosts' utilizing their speed advantage to swarm the visitors defensively and relentlessly push the pace on offense.

The All-NBA Second Team selection a season ago generated a team-high 31 points in Sunday's 114-97 win. He also tied Franz Wagner for a game-high six assists and registered five rebounds, a steal, and a block.

After the victory, he discussed assuming even more of a leadership role and setting the tone for how the Celtics must play when they're at their best.

"Just by being the example, on both ends of the ball," expressed Brown. "I think that's one of the strongest forms of leadership, but also being a little bit more vocal, not skipping no steps. Every single game, trying to come out, put the best foot forward, trying to put our team in a position to win. Being unselfish on both ends of the floor, sacrificing your body, but also taking on whatever matchup and respecting your opponent. All of that stuff goes into leadership.

"And those guys that we had last year were great and gave us an opportunity for me and JT to step up in those opportunities and be more leaders, and I've embraced that role for sure. So, we've still got a lot of work to do. I don't think we are at our final form or playing our best, but we're starting to move in the right direction, and we gotta just keep growing and rolling with the punches."

Now the C's head to the West Coast for a four-game road trip that starts Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors. Boston's trip to the Bay knocked them off kilter last season, struggling with a level of physicality it had to combat more consistently after that 123-107 loss.

Brown said of the Celtics' first trip back to the Chase Center since that defeat: "Should be a good challenge for us. Can't skip no steps, and we've got to come out and compete every single night."

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

Jaylen Brown Generates 31 Points as Pace-Pushing Celtics Complete Two-Game Sweep of Magic

Celtics Utilize Speed Advantage in Run Away Win vs. Magic: 'It Makes the Game Easier'

Here's What Stood Out as Shorthanded Celtics Throttled Magic to Extend Home Unbeaten Streak

Celtics Evaluate a Key to Mini-Series Sweep of Cavaliers: 'Playing the Right Way'

Derrick White Praises Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's Impact That 'Doesn't Show Up on the Stat Sheet'

Jayson Tatum Praises Kristaps Porzingis for Allowing Celtics to Spin the Dial Defensively

Wins on the Margins Help Propel Celtics Past Cavaliers

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

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

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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