Tag: Jaylen Brown

How did Marcus Smart help shape Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?

Marcus Smart was a leader for the Boston Celtics. Did his high standards and commitment to defense help mold Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown?

Marcus Smart‘s tenure with the Boston Celtics may be over, but his fingerprints can still be seen throughout the team’s roster. The veteran guard helped instill a defense-first mentality among his teammates, often leading by example. He epitomized what it means to wear a Celtics jersey and the commitment required to earn the respect of a fanbase that demands championship effort.

During a recent upload to the WEEI YouTube channel, Andy Gresh and Christian Fauria discuss the level of impact Smart had on his teammates. They also ponder whether Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown evolved into the two-way talents we see today in part because of Smart’s leadership and high standards. 

In truth, Smart likely played a part in Tatum and Brown’s development. However, the All-Star forwards likely positively impacted Smart’s growth, too. That’s what happens when a roster has long-term continuity; everybody grows with each other and learns together.

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

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Check out Jaylen Brown’s best dunks from the 2023-24 season

Does Jaylen Brown have what it takes to win the 2024 NBA slam dunk contest? Let’s go to the tape.

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is reportedly considering entering the 2024 NBA slam dunk contest held February 17 in Indianapolis. Brown is already set to participate in his third All-Star Game that weekend, and would become the fifth Celtic to ever suit up for the dunk contest if he does indeed take part.

Brown stands 6-foot-6, and is among the most prolific dunkers in the NBA. In particular, the Georgia native has a knack for emphatic breakaway slams. That doesn’t necessarily mean he has what it takes to win the dunk contest. Walking away the victor will take a combination of creativity, athleticism, and showmanship.

So, does Brown have what it takes? Check out this highlight real of his best dunks from the 2023-24 season, courtesy of NBC Sports Boston, and decide for yourself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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Should Boston’s Jaylen Brown do the NBA’s All-Star Week dunk contest?

Brown would become the first All-Star to take part in the Dunk Contest since 2017.

Should star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown do the NBA’s All-Star Week dunk contest? The Athletic’s Shams Charania recently reported that  Brown might enter the NBA Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it was later confirmed that the Georgia native will take part.

Brown would become the first All-Star to take part in the Dunk Contest since 2017. But he would not be the first Celtics player wearing No. 7 with the name “Brown” emblazoned on it in the contest, that honor falling to Dee Brown ahead of his historic no-look flush. It remains to be seen whether Jaylen can get into that sort of stratosphere, but he is the highest-profile posterizer on the bill for the event — but will Boston want the risk of injury his participation entails?

Or is that simply needless hand-wringing?

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning weighed in on a recent episode of the “Garden Report” podcast — check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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Report: Jaylen Brown ‘seriously considering’ entering NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Will Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown suit up for the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown is reportedly interested in participating in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest. According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania, Brown is “seriously considering” entering the annual showcase. He would become the first All-Star to take part in the dunk contest since 2017 and the first Celtic since Gerald Green in 2007.

“Brown has been mulling over the possibility for several weeks and appears to be very much in play.” Charania reported. Brown is already headed to All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis in a few weeks. He and Jayson Tatum are both set to represent the Eastern Conference during the All-Star Game itself.

Brown, who is known to unleash pretty ferocious slams, may be looking to add to his resume with a trip to the dunk contest as well.

Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Injuries and likely starting lineups

The Boston Celtics could be missing Luke Kornet and Jaylen Brown when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Feb. 4.

After suffering a humbling defeat to the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics will be looking to bounce back with a win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday (Feb. 4.) Marcus Smart has made the trip to Boston but won’t be suiting up, as he continues his recovering from a right finger injury.

The Celtics could be without Luke Kornet, who is listed as probable. He has missed the team’s last three games with a left hamstring strain. Jaylen Brown is also on the injury report, as he is questionable due to low back tightness. Boston will have a full rotation available outside those two.

Nevertheless, the Celtics will need to avoid the trap of expecting to win via talent. They fell into that trap against the Lakers and must show they’ve learned a lesson from the loss. Memphis will be without Smart, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Brandon Clarke. Xavier Tillman is also questionable.

The Celtics currently sit top of the Eastern Conference, four games ahead of the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks. The hope is Joe Mazzulla‘s team can continue stacking wins and creating space between themselves and the chasing pack. The game against the Bucks is the perfect opportunity to continue building momentum heading into the All-Star break.

Did Boston’s Jaylen Brown deserve to make an All-Star team?

This epic flop on Brown’s part elicited the predictable crowd of vocal critics.

Almost as soon as it was known that he would be an NBA All-Star for the 2024 contest, star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown delivered one of the worst performances of his 2023-24 season vs. the Los Angeles Lakers.

This epic flop on Brown’s part elicited the predictable crowd of vocal critics pondering whether the Georgia native truly deserved his nod due to one bad game. As maddening as that might be (and was, more or less, the same response to his historic supermax contract extension), could there be a case that the Cal alum is a tad overrated? Or are the recent mediocre outings that have popped up for Brown simply the result of a long regular season?

After Jaylen Brown made his third All-Star team, CLNS Media reporters Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon discussed if he really deserved it after the Celtics 114-105 loss to the Lakers where Brown struggled on a recent episode of the “Garden Report” podcast.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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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Jaylen Brown named to 2024 Eastern Conference All-Star Team

Jaylen Brown will join fellow Celtic Jayson Tatum in Indianapolis after being named a 2024 Eastern Conference All-Star.

The reserves for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game were announced Thursday night, and another member of the Boston Celtics is set to join Jayson Tatum out in Indianapolis. Jaylen Brown was selected to represent the Eastern Conference and will make his third appearance at the league’s annual showcase.

Tatum was selected a starter last week thanks to a combination of fan, player, and media voting. Reserves, meanwhile, are chosen by coaches around the association, with seven players ultimately making the cut. Boston’s Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis were in the mix to make the team, but were not selected in the end, although they could still make the team as injury replacements.

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic were also named as reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Stars.

Boston’s Jaylen Brown boosts effort to raise juvenile prosecution age in MA to 20

Brown recently made an appearance at the Massachusetts State House in support of an initiative to raise the age of juvenile offenders in the state for non-violent offenses from a maximum of 18 to 20 years of age.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown recently made an appearance at the Massachusetts State House in support of an initiative to raise the age of juvenile offenders in the state for non-violent offenses from a maximum of 18 to 20 years of age.

Brown argued that 18, 19, and 20-year-olds are still emerging as adults, and should still be tried as juveniles in certain contexts as a result. Pointing to biological science on the human brain’s development at that age and his own life experience, Brown used his platform to advocate for local youth to avoid treating them with the full weight of the law.

The Cal alum was joined by criminal justice reform advocates and legislators, Brown’s position was not without pushback.

To hear his words for yourself, check out the clip embedded above from NBC Sports Boston.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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JD Davison has two All-Star mentors in Boston

The second-year two-way guard is being mentored by two of the Boston Celtics All-Star talents.

JD Davison is rarely seen on the TD Garden parquet. The Boston Celtics two-way guard is still developing his game with the Maine Celtics in the G-League. He was the team’s 53rd pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. His athleticism and explosiveness make him an enticing young prospect. However, his defense needs to improve before he has a shot of making the Celtics roster.

Fortunately for Davison, he’s got two All-NBA mentors to help him figure things out. During a recent interview with NBC Sports Boston, the Celtics two-way guard discussed Jrue Holiday and Jaylen Brown‘s impact on his development.

Both Brown and Holiday are impressing on the defensive end this season, and are likely passing along some important details on how to thrive in Mazzulla’s switch-heavy system. Nevertheless, the Celtics have high-level talent across their guard rotation, so Davison is likely fighting an uphill battle.

You can watch the full interview by clicking the embedded video above.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

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Can Jaylen Brown make an All-Defensive team?

Has Jaylen Brown’s defense improved enough for him to make an All-NBA Defensive Team this season?

Jaylen Brown is having arguably the best season of his career. The All-Star forward is thriving in a role as the Boston Celtics featured scorer while also producing at a high level on the defensive side of the floor. Brown entered the season with a personal goal of making an All-Defensive team heading into the playoffs.

One member of the Celtics rotation who knows what it takes to be an All-NBA defensive talent is Jrue Holiday. He’s achieved the feat on five occasions, making the first and second teams three times. During a recent sitdown with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin, Holiday discussed Brown’s push for an All-Defensive spot.

During the interview, he also touched on his time with the New Orleans Pelicans, the growth of Zion Williamson, and how he’s settled within the Celtics rotation and in the city of Boston.

You can watch the full interview by clicking on the embedded video 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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