What is Jaylen Brown's ceiling?

[Cuban Pete]

And to think, four years ago I wanted Jamal Murray from Kentucky. Come to think of it, I still want Murray.

[Parliament10]

And to think, four years ago I wanted Jamal Murray from Kentucky. Come to think of it, I still want Murray.

You seem to want Everyone, BUT the current Celtics.
For Pete's sake. Stay the course.

[La Flame]

And to think, four years ago I wanted Jamal Murray from Kentucky. Come to think of it, I still want Murray.

Jaylen is 3 inches taller and a way better defender with better shooting numbers

[SmartWentCrazy]

And to think, four years ago I wanted Jamal Murray from Kentucky. Come to think of it, I still want Murray.

Jaylen is 3 inches taller and a way better defender with better shooting numbers

Murray is a volume scorer who puts up points on slightly below average efficiency. Im good not paying that guy the max for the next 5 years. Would much prefer Brown.

[bucknersrevenge]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/03/sports/booed-his-draft-night-jaylen-brown-has-proven-us-what-fine-leader-he-actually-is/

[hugepatsfan]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/03/sports/booed-his-draft-night-jaylen-brown-has-proven-us-what-fine-leader-he-actually-is/

I hate that headline. Considering the current context of what he's doing it gives the implication that Celtics booed him because was black or outspoken on civil rights issues.

[hugepatsfan]

And to think, four years ago I wanted Jamal Murray from Kentucky. Come to think of it, I still want Murray.

I would love Murray here too but definitely prefer Jaylen. I think his overall skill set is just better.

[bucknersrevenge]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/03/sports/booed-his-draft-night-jaylen-brown-has-proven-us-what-fine-leader-he-actually-is/

I hate that headline. Considering the current context of what he's doing it gives the implication that Celtics booed him because was black or outspoken on civil rights issues.

Well FWIW, I was at the draft party at the Garden that night. I walked around and heard a lot of different conversations that night. Most of the people I overheard or spoke to wanted Hield (the shooter) or Dunn (the local kid) by far. Like 2/3rd of the crowd in there were booing, and the only reason it wasn't the other 1/3 is because they were busy looking up who Jaylen was because they hadn't even heard of him. I remember being pretty sure that Jaylen was going to be the pick about a week before that draft. I had wanted Murray myself.

What's been most impressive about all of Jaylen's accomplishments so far, on and off the court is that he told us on draft night that these were his goals. He devised a plan and then systematically went about accomplishing them. I love his work ethic and his self-awareness. And now, even though there are some things I would like him to be better at, I will not root against him figuring most of it out. I am unmistakably in his corner for who he is both on and off the court.

[MagicBagley18]

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/03/sports/booed-his-draft-night-jaylen-brown-has-proven-us-what-fine-leader-he-actually-is/

I hate that headline. Considering the current context of what he's doing it gives the implication that Celtics booed him because was black or outspoken on civil rights issues.

Well FWIW, I was at the draft party at the Garden that night. I walked around and heard a lot of different conversations that night. Most of the people I overheard or spoke to wanted Hield (the shooter) or Dunn (the local kid) by far. Like 2/3rd of the crowd in there were booing, and the only reason it wasn't the other 1/3 is because they were busy looking up who Jaylen was because they hadn't even heard of him. I remember being pretty sure that Jaylen was going to be the pick about a week before that draft. I had wanted Murray myself.

What's been most impressive about all of Jaylen's accomplishments so far, on and off the court is that he told us on draft night that these were his goals. He devised a plan and then systematically went about accomplishing them. I love his work ethic and his self-awareness. And now, even though there are some things I would like him to be better at, I will not root against him figuring most of it out. I am unmistakably in his corner for who he is both on and off the court.

I think a lot of those boos too were bc of all the rumors leading up to that draft ab a jimmy butler trade. Remember it was rumored if we picked Dunn he’d be flipped for butler. I think when people heard Jaylens name it was the realization no trade was happening- even tho most of us here new that by the time the draft started

[Floody100]

Watch on YouTube

I’d recommend giving this a watch.
After watching this it gave me a new perspective on Jaylen & why I truly believe he can be a #2 option on a championship team.
Jaylen has his limitations but is an extremely hard worker which tells me that while he’ll never be elite at some of those things he can definitely improve to an extent.
An intriguing part of the video to me was T-Mac talking about fixing Jaylen’s long ball. He’s averaging 38% from 3 & If I’m not mistaken he already leads the NBA in spot-up points this season. While these are all impressive I think T-Mac is right. If Jaylen can improve on this his limitations don’t become as noticeable because he doesn’t have to use them as much. If he can fix & improve on the long ball so much so that he becomes confident to shoot from anywhere it changes everything.
A more athletic/versatile Klay Thompson comes to mind on the type of player he could potentially be. I came to that comparison because both aren’t amazing with their handles but they play better off ball. Obviously he’s never going to be as great of a shooter as Klay is but he can substitute that with the athleticism Klay lacks.
It’s only my opinion but his attitude & hard work on & off the court to go with his burning desire to not only prove everyone wrong but become the best player he can possibly be tells me theirs no reason why he can’t be the #2 option on a championship team. We’d obviously need to put the right pieces around for Jaylen to be the #2 option to reach the ultimate success but theirs just that feeling inside of me that tells me Jaylen is destined for big things.

[24istheLAW]

Jaylen's comp is Richard Jefferson, just like it has been the whole time. He's done nothing to move off of that.

23 year old seasons:
Jefferson: 18.5 PPG (league average team scores 93.4 PPG)
Brown: 20.4 PPG (league average team scores 111.4 PPG)

Jefferson: .364 from 3 (league avg .347)
Brown: .381 from 3 (league avg .357)

Jefferson: .763 from the line (league avg. 752)
Brown: .736 from the line (league avg .771)

Jefferson: 5.7 boards per game (team avg 42.2)
Brown: 6.4 boards per game (team avg 44.9)

Jefferson: 1.1 Steals per game (7.9), 0.3 Blocks per game (5.1), 2.3 Turnovers per game (15.0)
Brown: 1.1 Steals per game (7.7), 0.3 Blocks per game (4.9), 2.4 Turnovers per game (14.5)

The two places Jefferson has an edge on Jaylen are assists (3.8 to 2.2) and FTr (.420 to .280). And FTr is something Brown can improve on if he finishes a bit with his other hand and continues to improve at the margins as a slasher.

[DoubleHappiness]

Another Jaylen comparison I have thought about recently is Iggy. I was trying to think of a player who didn't have great advanced stats his first few years but made the jump, someone who is a good on-ball defender and amazing athlete. Iggy is that dude.

Here's their 23 year old seasons compared: http://bkref.com/tiny/HJTg3

I think Iggy is and was more fluid with the ball but it's an interesting comparison to me. Excuse me for not posting the actual charts but it's Friday night, I'm a few drinks down, and I can't remember how to post basketball reference charts. Jaylen is the better shooter, but there's more emphasis on that in today's game, so comparing numbers might not be perfect since it should be done in how far they are above league average. Jaylen also has a better back to the basket game and his fallaway is top notch.

PER is a deeply flawed stat but it can at least give you a rough idea of a player's growth. Jaylen came into the league a year earlier than Iggy so I think it's at least somewhat relevant. Both were not first banana on their respective teams.

Jaylen's first four seasons in the league (which match up with Iggy's first three):

10.3
13.6
13.5
17.1

Iggy's first three seasons:

13.5
14.8
18.1

I think Jaylen's ceiling is much higher. But, if he doesn't improve too much now I think his comp is a better shooting Iguodala. I'm open to all critiques on this as it's kind of spur of the moment.

[themoneyteam2]

Jimmy Butler without the playmaking? I don’t ever see Brown averaging 6 APG like Jimmy currently does. However, Brown currently averages 20/6/2. No reason he can’t average 24/7/3 and be a multi time all star in his prime with above average defense

[threrf23]

Iggy was a much better defender and passer than Jaylen currently is. Jaylen ofc is a better scorer and a better shooter and has a much higher upside in those areas.

In terms of collegiate stats and strengths supposed weaknesses, Corey Maggette had been a good comparison. I'd say a modern (i.e. better 3 pt shooting) version of Maggette, but he shows much better defensive potential and he gets to the line half as much as Maggette did.

I don't think I could do better than "modern Richard Jefferson" for now.

[themoneyteam2]

Amongst 20 PPG scorers this season:

- 3rd lowest time of possession
- 2nd lowest amount of touches
- Highest EFG% for guards
- 2nd in FG% & 2P% for guards
- Lowest USG%
- 4th in Pts/Touch
- 2nd in transition FG% & EFG%

[Parliament10]

Iggy was a much better defender and passer than Jaylen currently is. Jaylen ofc is a better scorer and a better shooter and has a much higher upside in those areas.

In terms of collegiate stats and strengths supposed weaknesses, Corey Maggette had been a good comparison. I'd say a modern (i.e. better 3 pt shooting) version of Maggette, but he shows much better defensive potential and he gets to the line half as much as Maggette did.

I don't think I could do better than "modern Richard Jefferson" for now.

Jaylen Brown is coming along nicely. -- Doing well for only 23 years old.
If he plays as long as Iguodala, then he's got at least 13 more years. (Iggy is still playing.)

[Fencer reregistered]

Jefferson was touted at draft time as being unusually polished. Jaylen, of course, was famously raw. I have trouble getting past that to take the comparison seriously.

The role Jaylen is going for is Klay Thompson's -- lethal off-ball scoring plus strong man defense. Jaylen will never come close to matching Klay's super-fast release, so he needs to exceed Klay in various other ways to match his impact. But Klayish impact is probably both his goal and ceiling.

[Ill News]

I don't see the Richard Jefferson comparisons for Jaylen despite the eerie similarities of their stats. I think the difference lies in their overall athleticism and mobility on offense. Jefferson's an athletic guy, but Jaylen is more explosive and quicker, and has better ball-handling already. This separates him from Iguodala as well, who's a much better defender anyway.

I believe Jaylen has the potential to be a #1 option on a team. Is that the best role for him? I don't think so, but his style of play can convince people that he should be. I think in his prime he'll be a great #2 option (alongside Tatum, hopefully) who can do everything: defend the opposing team's best player and bigs, get buckets either through isolation or transition, and make heady passes. That's the beauty of him having ever-changing roles these past few years, it's taught him to be a multi-dimensional player and he's mature enough not to sulk about it and just take everything in. I like to dream that he'll be a poor man's Pippen someday.

[Floody100]

He’s gone up another level in the bubble.

[Slax]

He’s gone up another level in the bubble.

Besides looking really good on defense, he has been crazy efficient on offense. Feels like half his shots have been three pointers, and he's knocking a ton of them down.