Jaylen Brown Thread

[BK_2020]

Jaylen's problem is not shot selection. He can't make outside shots and he also can't make layups. That's the real problem. Also, he can't get to the line and when he gets there, he can't make free throws. His shot selection is good because opposing teams leave him open.
Here are some of his misses from the last game.
From the three.

At the rim.

From the midrange.

Basically all his makes came from transition buckets. The reason his efficiency is poor is not because he's taking tough shots. In the last game, he took 2 tough shots and made 1. It's because he's missing easy shots.

[zoyathedestroya]

Selecting NOT to shoot is also shot selection lol.

[BK_2020]

Selecting NOT to shoot is also shot selection lol.

And not shooting a wide open corner three is bad shot selection. If you are a starting SF on an NBA team you have to take those shots.

[zoyathedestroya]

Selecting NOT to shoot is also shot selection lol.

And not shooting a wide open corner three is bad shot selection. If you are a starting SF on an NBA team you have to take those shots.

I meant more those drives into the paint where he could've kicked out to open shooters. Most of those shots were within 12-16 seconds left in the shot clock. In general, he doesn't need to be the end point of these possessions. There's often an extra pass to be made for a better look (even for himself later in the shot clock).

[JaMarco]

The thing I don't get is Brown had 3 strong 3pt shooting years earlier in his career:

2017-18: 39.5%, 306 attempts
2019-20: 38.2%, 338 attempts
2020-21: 39.7%, 411 attempts

How is he getting worse over time??

[BK_2020]

Selecting NOT to shoot is also shot selection lol.

And not shooting a wide open corner three is bad shot selection. If you are a starting SF on an NBA team you have to take those shots.

I meant more those drives into the paint where he could've kicked out to open shooters. Most of those shots were within 12-16 seconds left in the shot clock. In general, he doesn't need to be the end point of these possessions. There's often an extra pass to be made for a better look (even for himself later in the shot clock).

The help defense was playing the passing lanes on those drives and also the tallest guy they have is 6'6 Paul Reed. Jaylen just didn't have the burst or the lift to get good shots off, and he's never been able to draw fouls. Jaylen can't just pass all the time. He's got to be able to score the easy ones. Tatum had like 4 layups and 9 free throws against the same defense.

[KillahGhostface]

The thing I don't get is Brown had 3 strong 3pt shooting years earlier in his career:

2017-18: 39.5%, 306 attempts
2019-20: 38.2%, 338 attempts
2020-21: 39.7%, 411 attempts

How is he getting worse over time??

His catch and shoot numbers have just fallen off a cliff over the years.

These are his C&S numbers since 20-21

43.1
36.7
33.4
33.3

This year he’s just under 37% on C&S so far, but considering the looks he gets, even that isn’t good enough.

Something happened with his mechanics on longer jumpers, it seems. I just showed the catch and shoot three numbers, but here’s his numbers from 16-3PT the last four seasons.

49%
44%
41%
30%

Obviously that 30% will go up some, but there’s a clear trend with his shot. I think his finishing should correct and be fine, but the jumper is kind of broke.

[RodyTur10]

Selecting NOT to shoot is also shot selection lol.

Those open corner shots you need to take 90% of the time to keep defenses honest. And in theory it's a great shot. However the amount of shots Brown is taking is worrisome. Most of the shots featured above are mostly not bad shots actually. But there were probably better opportunities possible with more patience. But Brown is impatient. I find it hard to believe that guys like White, Holiday, Pritchard or Hauser are marked more tightly than Brown. Thus these guys are passing up good shots to create a great shot. Something Brown really needs to learn.

It may sound like hating, but I'm also counting the day that Brown can be traded. It's more or less the same as Smart. Loved the guy, but he was holding us back. Nonetheless with all the talent that the Celtics have we are a contender. So let's hope Brown can at least find a groove, because he's been putrid this season.

[BK_2020]

The thing I don't get is Brown had 3 strong 3pt shooting years earlier in his career:

2017-18: 39.5%, 306 attempts
2019-20: 38.2%, 338 attempts
2020-21: 39.7%, 411 attempts

How is he getting worse over time??

He was pretty steady on open and wide open three numbers until this season.
33% of his 3pa is wide open this season. He's shooting 25% on them. This is not normal and hopefully will regress.

[zoyathedestroya]

And not shooting a wide open corner three is bad shot selection. If you are a starting SF on an NBA team you have to take those shots.

I meant more those drives into the paint where he could've kicked out to open shooters. Most of those shots were within 12-16 seconds left in the shot clock. In general, he doesn't need to be the end point of these possessions. There's often an extra pass to be made for a better look (even for himself later in the shot clock).

The help defense was playing the passing lanes on those drives and also the tallest guy they have is 6'6 Paul Reed. Jaylen just didn't have the burst or the lift to get good shots off, and he's never been able to draw fouls. Jaylen can't just pass all the time. He's got to be able to score the easy ones. Tatum had like 4 layups and 9 free throws against the same defense.

He could make a pass in those last four clips. Doesn't need to "just pass all the time." But when he's off, he probably should do it more often. I would prefer that than him taking 20 FGAs per game with his inefficiency. Team has more shotmakers/shooters and guys that can make a play off ball movement than in past seasons. One potential assist vs. 20 shots in 35 mins.

[BK_2020]

Also who can forget this gem of a defensive audible to gift the Sixers three free points. Anytime you can give up a wide open corner three for no reason, you have to do it.

[sam_I_am]

I guess I understand why you all continuously criticize JB’s shortcomings, but the reality is that this team only goes as far as Tatum takes them. In 1989, the Celtics got 20 ppg from Reggie Lewis playing with the same greats that dominated the 80s - DJ, McHale, Parish etc. ….. but without Bird they were a 42 win team. KP, Holiday, White and JB are all potential all stars but none can take this team to where we want it to go without Tatum joining Jokic and GA as one of the games’ best.

JB can and needs to be better. We all agree. But even if he cannot improve we still will win a title…..unless JT ain’t all that. This narrative of scapegoating Brown for not being as good as Tatum is getting weird.

[BK_2020]

Tatum criticism is happening in the Tatum thread right now. Somewhat less vigorously, for sure, but it is happening.

[zoyathedestroya]

There are currently 48 20+ ppg scorers in the NBA. Brown is 46th in true shooting % on that list. Only Cunningham and Randle are worse. Despite our 2nd top shot-taker being this inefficient, Celtics are currently 4th in TS%.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[zoyathedestroya]

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[cl2117]

It's an unrealistic expectation but it would be amazing if Brown was willing to remould his game now that he's secured the bag and become the Robin we need rather than the one his paycheck suggests he should be. We have the talent around him and JT where what he's forcing now is more out of habit/vanity than it is necessity.

If he would focus on being a defensive menace and just be a complimentary piece offensively that'd be the ideal version of him for this team. Who cares if that version of him would be massively overpaid, the overall impact for the team would be worth it and then some.

He should average 50% more rebounds, 50% less turnovers and 20% less shots. Take away the offensive focus and redeploy that to the boards and defense and it's achievable. He has the athleticism and skillset to do it, it's just about changing the mindset. His offensive output would drop but his efficiency skyrocket. He can still attack at will in transition, but get rid of his isolation game unless he's attacking a size mismatch. He's never going to be a good facilitator but he can create more for himself and others by focusing on being a cutter/screener/motion guy.

I completely understand why it won't happen (I probably wouldn't be able to do it either) and I don't expect Joe to be able to convince him. But what an amazing outcome we'd get if he was able to make that change. One central MVP candidate with 4 perfectly complimentary all-star calibre players around him. We'd be pretty unstoppable.

[KillahGhostface]

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[Red2]

Does it matter? Brown has shown zero ability to lead a second unit. He’s a scorer and not a facilitator. Ditto for Pritchard. Not sure why I let the Celts suck me in time and again but I’ve seen little to no maturation in our consistency or cohesiveness. I think the word is “ connected”. We aren’t connected as a team. How well do you explain all those tyrnovers? Brown and Tatum have not improved at all in that regard. Way too casual and careless

[BK_2020]

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The tweet should say 3 percentage points below, not 3% below, league average. He's actually 5% below league average.
I've been saying he's going to decline early. He makes his living on difficult shots and uses a ton of legs to get a shot off. He's not someone whose prime is going to extend to 32-34.