Tag: Jaylen Brown

Ime Udoka sees elements of Jaylen Brown, Corey Maggette in Rockets rookie Cam Whitmore

Rockets coach Ime Udoka pointed to Boston’s Jaylen Brown and former NBA player Corey Maggette as players that rookie Cam Whitmore reminds him of.

When Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals, one of the best players on that team was All-Star guard Jaylen Brown. Now that Udoka is coaching the Houston Rockets, he sees one player among his 2023-24 rotation that shares some similarities.

When asked who explosive rookie scorer Cam Whitmore reminds him of, Udoka identified Brown and longtime NBA veteran Corey Maggette. Of course, Whitmore is clearly not at Brown’s level yet,

Here’s what Udoka said Thursday on “The Matt Thomas Show” via SportsTalk 790, the official flagship radio station of the Rockets:

There are a lot of similarities to someone I just had recently, Jaylen Brown. It’s funny, our whole coaching staff, a lot of us came from Boston and had coached Jaylen Brown. It’s very similar, as far as the way they play. But even how they think, and movements, and all that.

I’ll take it back a little bit to a guy I played against, Corey Maggette. He has some of that downhill physicality, and he has that at a young age, already. Similar as far as those two, but Jaylen Brown is the guy that we all see a lot of similarities with.

The complete interview segment can be listened to below.

Whitmore is averaging an impressive 12.2 points (46.3% FG, 36.5% on 3-pointers) and 3.8 rebounds in only 18.1 minutes per game this season. As the No. 20 draft pick from the 2023 first round, his role should only increase as the games and years progress.

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Boston’s Jayson Tatum voted fifth in final ESPN MVP straw poll; Jaylen Brown 10th

The St. Louis native came in behind (in order) Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Two Boston Celtics players made an appearance in the final 2024 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award straw poll put together by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps for the 2023-24 regular season. Star forward Jaylen Brown received a single fifth-place vote to register tenth overall in the straw poll results after a strong finish to the Celtics’ current campaign.

The poll, which aims to project how MVP voters will cast their vote at the end of the season for the coveted full-season honor, also saw fellow Boston All-Star swingman Jayson Tatum come in fifth in the final installment of straw poll voting.

The St. Louis native came in behind (in order) Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

In terms of the mix of places he was voted into overall, Tatum received 2 first place votes, 1 second, 1 third, 11 fourth, and 54 votes for fifth place.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Full injury report for Wednesday’s Thunder vs. Celtics matchup

Full injury report for Wednesday’s Thunder vs. Celtics matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrap up a grueling road back-to-back when they take on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. It’s the second matchup of the season between the two squads.

The Thunder (52-23) will try to pull off the upset without their two best players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (quad contusion) and Jalen Williams (ankle sprain) are out.

Ousmane Dieng, Lindy Waters III, Keyontae Johnson, Olivier Sarr and Adam Flagler are all in the G League.

Meanwhile, the Celtics (59-16) could be without one of their top two players. Jaylen Brown (hand sprain) is questionable. Outside of him though, Boston remains relatively healthy.

Jaden Springer (knee tendinopathy) is questionable. Jordan Walsh, JD Davison, Drew Peterson and Neemias Queta are on G League assignments.

Even short-handed, the Thunder look to bounce back from a close loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

The Celtics are cruising the to the end of the regular season; they have first place in the Eastern Conference and the top seed playoffs already clinched. They collected a double-digit win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday to wrap up a six-game road trip.

Tipoff from Boston is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.

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Could Jaylen Brown be the primary star on another team?

Has Jaylen Brown proven that he’s capable of being the primary option for a contending team in the NBA?

Jaylen Brown has been exceptional for the Boston Celtics this season. He has thrived as the team’s primary scorer, tasked with pressuring the rim and setting the tone in the first quarter. Earlier this season, he was rewarded for his stellar play with his third All-Star selection.

Entering the NBA’s 2023-24 season, the Georgia native was under a microscope after signing a five-year, $304 million supermax contract. He has recently begun to live up to the historic price tag his new deal will command, raising his defensive efforts to new levels and proving himself to be one of the best scoring wings in the NBA.

That scoring output has led some to question whether Brown could be the number one option on a contending team, and whether he could one day leave the Celtics to take his place at the forefront of another franchise. In a recent episode of the “Gil’s Arena” podcast, Gilbert Arenas discusses Brown’s skill set before sharing his thoughts on whether the Celtics wing could lead a different team in the NBA.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded link above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Has Jayson Tatum’s clutch-time struggles ended his MVP case?

Jayson Tatum’s struggles in the clutch may have hindered his chances of winning the 2024 MVP award.

The Boston Celtics have struggled in crunch-time situations this season. Joe Mazzulla has consistently gone to Jayson Tatum in late-game moments, as you would expect, given his status as Boston’s clear-cut best player. However, Tatum has struggled to make the most of those opportunities and has amassed a poor record of success.

In a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take”, veteran anchor Stephen A. Smith has questioned Tatum’s clutch performances, noting that his struggles are not what you would expect from an MVP candidate. He also postulated sliding Jaylen Brown into the “closing” role for the Celtics, given his aggressive style of play when looking to score.

This season, Tatum has emerged as a complete player. Rather than consistently looking to score, he’s embracing a more diverse role. He’s creating for others, he’s defending, he’s rebounding, and most importantly, he’s allowing his offense to come within the flow of the game.

Nevertheless, scoring in the clutch is about taking over and playing aggressively. Tatum must tap into that part of his game if he wants to be an effective weapon once the postseason begins.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Jaylen Brown’s wrist injury to be examined upon return to Boston

Jaylen Brown’s wrist will be examined by the Boston Celtics medical staff once the team returns to Boston.

During the Boston Celtics 104-92 Saturday night road win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Jaylen Brown appeared to injure his wrist while diving to the floor for a steal. He also had the tough assignment of slowing down Pels star forward Zion Williamson on the defensive end of the court. Fortunately for Celtics fans, Brown could continue playing, as he ended the night with a total of 35 minutes.

Nevertheless, Brown’s wrist will need to be checked out by the medical staff. He may need to miss a stretch of games to ensure he’s ready to go once the postseason begins. “I’m going to get that looked at when we get back to Boston,” said Brown via MassLive’s Brian Robb. “But, it’s been bothering me for a little bit now.”

During his post-game press conference, Brown noted that he would get his wrist checked once the team returned to Boston. He also admitted that he’s feeling some tightness in his back.

Brown has been a force for the Celtics this season. He’s the team’s featured scorer and is proving himself to be one of the team’s best on-ball defenders.

Boston will need him at his best once the playoffs begin, so the coaching staff may decide to rest him for some of their upcoming games.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Kendrick Perkins: If players are involved in betting, then Adam Silver needs to be over-the-top harsh

With March Madness in full swing, you may have seen a funny AT&T commercial that showcases Kendrick Perkins, Carmelo Anthony, and TJ Ford, players from the 2003 NBA Draft. In partnership with AT&T, Perk took some time out of his hectic schedule to …

With March Madness in full swing, you may have seen a funny AT&T commercial that showcases Kendrick Perkins, Carmelo Anthony, and TJ Ford, players from the 2003 NBA Draft. In partnership with AT&T, Perk took some time out of his hectic schedule to talk with HoopsHype about a wide range of topics including the brewing sport betting scandals, Draymond Green, Boston Celtics, and more.

Will Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown win a championship this season?

Can the Boston Celtics All-Star duo finally lead the franchise to a championship?

The Boston Celtics have secured the first seed in the Eastern Conference. They control their own destiny, ending the season with the best record in the NBA. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have both been dominant throughout the season and are a big reason why Joe Mazzulla‘s team has been successful.

During a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show” podcast, the four-time NBA champion discussed the Celtics’ chances of lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy with Jrue Holiday. He noted that Brown and Tatum are capable of leading Boston to its first championship since 2008.

Ironically, Green’s Golden State Warriors stood in Boston’s way when they made it to the NBA Finals in 2022. The experience appears to have stoked Tatum and Brown’s hunger as they look to take that final step toward becoming historical figures within the city of Boston.

You can watch the full discussion by clicking on the embedded clip above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Jrue Holiday praises Jaylen Brown’s ‘dog’ mentality

Jrue Holiday has been impressed with Jaylen Brown during their first season together as teammates.

Jaylen Brown is having the best season of his career. The Boston Celtics All-Star has emerged as the team’s featured scorer, especially in the first quarter and whenever they’re looking to pressure the rim. Brown came into the season with many questions hanging over his head following his supermax contract extension during the summer.

However, Brown has shown legitimate development on both sides of the ball. Those developments and his attitude toward improvement have impressed veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, who shared his thoughts on his new teammate during a recent appearance on “The Draymond Green Show” podcast.

“He’s shown that when people doubt him, he really take that heart,” Holiday said. “…If y’all really look at JB’s game this year, he’s been finishing crazy with his left hand…He’s shooting the three very well this year. One of our go-to shooters…That’s a dawg to me. He got that bark in him. He got that toughness…JB’s a complete player to me.”

Brown’s improvements have seen him stand out on a roster full of All-Star-level talent. At times, he looks like the best player on the court, regardless of who’s out there with him. His overall development has seen him stake a claim for an All-Defense team this season.

The Celtics have secured the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Brown played a significant role in that achievement. However, he, like the rest of the roster, will have his sights on a bigger goal.

With his new aggressive approach and the developments to his game, he will undoubtedly play a big part in the Celtics’ challenge for a championship in the coming months,

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Why has Boston’s Jaylen Brown been playing so well? Per the man himself, ‘it’s my time’

Brown has been playing the best basketball of his career since the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has been playing the best basketball of his career since the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break. What’s behind his improved play this season? Per the man himself (via WEEI’s Justin Turpin), “Just natural maturity.”

“One, you get better through experience. You get older, more skilled, more professional,” he added. “More opportunity. I think throughout the years my opportunity has varied, not because of my lack of skill-set, just because a lot of big-time players have come through this organization.”

“So I was just patient, kept getting better, and now it’s my time,” said the Georgia native.

One could take his words out of context to suggest that Brown is taking a shot at some of his past “big-time players” like Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

But it seems more likely — especially knowing Brown’s relationship with both — that the Cal alum is just noting that he was a younger player behind stars who hadn’t yet earned that opportunity.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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