Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown Earns Third All-Star Selection; Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White Will Have to Wait

Fresh off an All-NBA selection, Jaylen Brown is having the best season of his career, making meaningful growth on defense, as a facilitator, and as a leader.

Bobby Krivitsky

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Last week, in what was merely a formality, Jayson Tatum got named an All-Star starter for the fourth straight year. In his fifth appearance in the NBA's marquee exhibition event, the former Duke Blue Devil received the third-most votes in the league, trailing only LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Tatum then led the Boston Celtics past the Miami Heat in one of his team's most impressive performances this season, a 143-110 thrashing.

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After producing 26 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, he expressed about the honor, "I never get used to it; I never want to take it for granted. As a kid, it was my dream. I watched All-Star Weekend every year growing up and just dreamed about, one day, being in the game. So, to be voted in as a starter, fifth year straight in the game, doesn't seem real at times."

Thursday, as expected, Jaylen Brown will join Tatum at this year's All-Star Game in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The now three-time All-Star is averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, a career-high 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals.

As of now, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White will have to wait.

The former, the other half of Cookies and Cream, the nickname Boston's bench boss Joe Mazzulla came up with for Brown and the Celtics' seven-foot-three center, is as likely as any candidate to replace Joel Embiid or Julius Randle, who are both dealing with injuries that will keep them from participating.

Porzingis is generating 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, two assists, and nearly two blocks per contest. His versatility at both ends of the floor, especially his ability to punish switches, makes this the most dynamic team Boston's had in the Tatum and Brown era.

White is also playing All-Star-caliber basketball, but he seems less likely to fill in for front-court selections Randle and Embiid. The former Colorado Buffalo is manufacturing 15.8 points, 4.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game.

Further Reading

Celtics' Fending Off Pacers' Second-Half Surge Reflects Their Determination to 'Fight Through Everything'

Derrick White Opens Up About Shooting Slump After Propelling Celtics Past Pelicans: 'Don't Feel Sorry for Yourself'

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Top Heat in One of Their Best Performances This Season

Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'

Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

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

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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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