If the 2020 All-Star snub stung Jaylen Brown, he’s taking it out on opponents from the looks of things.
After a night logging just one bucket under his career high with 32 points and 9 rebounds in a win over division rival Philadelphia 76ers, the fourth-year shooting guard reminded the league why he should have been an All-Star.
Perhaps he will still, with news Atlanta Hawks point guard and East All-Star starter Trae Young has sprained an ankle being related by ESPN’s Tim McMahon, or some other All-Star finding themselves too banged-up to play.
But Brown’s case should not have to rise on the misfortune of others, as he arguably had the better case between he and teammate Jayson Tatum, at least in terms of numbers, and last night was one of several such examples.
Against the Sixers and in general this season, Brown has been more efficient overall, and has been a better 3-point shooter last night aside. He’s scored almost exactly as much per game (Brown averages 20.4 per game to Tatum’s 21.5), and rebounded at near-identical rates (6.4 to 6.2 per game).
Whatever reason Tatum was chosen over Brown, he’s taking it in stride, refusing to cast blame at others, unlike some bitter peers.
This is why I love Jaylen Brown!!! MFs didn’t vote him an All-Star and now he’s going to make the League Pay!!! I’m loving his Passion right now. 👌🏾
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 2, 2020
“Ain’t no reason to cry over spilled milk,” Brown explained (via MassLive’s Tom Westerholm).
The Georgia native has already turned his focus to the things he can control, including prepping his body and mind for the final third of the season.
“Getting ready to head into the playoffs is what my mind is on right now. All-Star Break, I’ll probably go on vacation, get my body and mind right to get ready for the playoffs because that’s it, you know what I mean? That’s the stage you want to be on.”
“I think some people have it backwards,” he added.
In the end, Brown is right. While All-Star games count towards Hall of Fame nods and league-wide respect, there’s nothing that compares to what comes from producing on the game’s biggest stage, and nothing endures quite like a banner.
And besides, do we really believe Brown won’t be getting even more attention from fans and peers as he continues to grow his game?
“I’m just going to continue to get better,” notes the Cal-Berkeley product.
He’s not wrong.
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