Jaylen Brown Wants the Celtics to Get Back to the Defensive Identity that Helped them Reach the Finals

A defensive identity is more likely to get the Celtics back to the Finals than relying too heavily on three-point shooting.

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After a disappointing loss to the Rockets, who ended that night tied for the fewest wins in the NBA with 16, the Celtics rode their defense to a 104-102 win against the Timberwolves.

Wednesday's tilt in the Twin Cities featured two teams struggling to find their rhythm offensively. Boston shot 40.5 percent from the field and 12/40 (30 percent) from behind the arc. The hosts also shot under 45 percent from the field, including 12/36 (33.3 percent) on threes.

While the Celtics had to white knuckle their way to the finish line, they improved to 2-1 on their six-game road trip and 6-5 since the All-Star break.

Even if one believes their dip in play is due to boredom and fatigue, common around the NBA this time of year, coupled with Robert Williams' absence, as this author has written throughout the season, it's in the best interest of the defending Eastern Conference champions to get back to a defensive identity.

It's less fickle than risking an overreliance on three-point shooting. And with a defensive backbone, it's easier to maintain control and stay confident in the face of adversity, especially on the road, like in a Game 6 in Milwaukee with the season on the line or Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami.

With the Celtics having experienced what taking on a defensive identity can do for them and what happens when tilting too heavily toward three-point shooting on nights when shots from beyond the arc aren't falling, Jaylen Brown, who registered a game-high 35 points in the win over Minnesota, expressed a desire for Boston to place greater emphasis on the defensive end.

"We gotta start trending upwards towards this time of year. This trip is important. Guys are injured; mentally, sometimes it's hard to get up for games, but you've gotta make sure that we come in every single night with a consistent effort. And tonight, what I was proud of most was our defensive effort. I think keeping them under 100 was the team that we were based on last year was trying to keep teams under 100. This year, we've been focused more on our offense, but I would like to see us put that emphasis on the defensive end too as well."

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Brown, who spoke about him and fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum communicating more now as the playoffs approach, also expounded on the importance of the Celtics coming together now so that they don't splinter when adversity hits, especially in the postseason.

"Just spending time with each other. Just that chemistry in itself will be able to translate in the thick of things when you get to the playoffs. When that adversity hit, it exposes everything if it's not stable, so just being on the same page, having increasing communication, even just spending more time with each other, whatever it take.

"Everybody, we got busy schedules, and a lot of times we've got off days, and guys want to do what they feel like doing, but I'm all basketball right now, and I'm focused on winning games."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Made the Face of New Gatorade Ad Campaign

Jaylen Brown Calls on the Celtics to Show Greater Urgency: 'It's Up to Leadership to Make Sure We Don't Drop the Ball'

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Hard Fall in Third Quarter of Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Timberwolves: Boston's Defense Keys Bounce-Back Victory

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Damon Stoudamire Leaving Celtics for Georgia Tech

Celtics Convey What They're Focused on Improving as the Playoffs Approach