What's the big deal? Celtics' Jaylen Brown back to work after extension

https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/whats-big-deal-celtics-jaylen-brown-back-work-after-extension?int



What's the big deal? Celtics' Jaylen Brown back to work after extension




By Chris Forsberg

October 22, 2019 1:46 PM





BOSTON — The day after signing a four-year extension worth up to $115 million, Jaylen Brown went through an extended post-practice workout, engaging in various shooting and ball-handling drills before the Celtics' media relations staff wrestled him out of the weight room to chat with reporters before the team’s afternoon flight to Philadelphia.

Brown said he celebrated his new deal by taking a nap Monday while his phone was perpetually buzzing with messages of congratulations. When he woke up, Brown returned to Boston’s practice facility to get up additional shots.

“I just treated it like a normal day,” said Brown.

Eventually, Brown relented a bit on the magnitude of the deal, why it was an easy decision to stay in Boston, and noted the big payday isn’t quite a load off his mind given the goals he has set for himself and the team.

A handful of highlights from Brown’s nine-minute meeting with reporters:


The new deal doesn’t change his approach to the new season

"I don’t look at it [as a load off]. I still got the same mentality, same approach, same preparation for the season. And I still got the same goals. So the load is still on until I get that job done, because that’s what it’s more about — getting a contract extension is great, but I’m playing to try to win and try to help this team as much as I can.”


Brown knows he could have potentially earned more money this summer

"There’s always chances. I was hearing a lot of good stuff. And that was a possibility. Being in this market, playing for the Boston Celtics is not like playing for a lot of other teams, to be honest. Once it came down to something that made sense, it was an easy decision, to be honest. Playing for the Boston Celtics isn’t like playing for some of these other teams in the league. No disrespect. Boston is a top-5 organization in this league so I think that was a possibility. Once I got to look at the offer in front of me, it was easy.”


Brown worried that last season could have driven down his value

"If I were to be honest, for sure. Especially in the role I was in last year, I don’t feel like I got to display my talent. I think I have the ability and the talent next to anybody else. But last year I didn’t get to display it, so I thought that was really going to hurt me and it came out, everything worked out in the end. … My mantra is faith, consistency and hard work pays off, even though things didn’t go my way [last] year. I just kept working and made the best of my situation regardless of what happened, and it worked out.”


The deal confirmed for Brown that the team is behind him

"For me, it was great. It shows that the front office believes in me. I got a text from [team co-owners Steve Pagliuca] and Wyc [Grousbeck], saying they’re excited about the future. As a player, that’s what you want: The organization to be behind you. I was definitely excited for that and excited for this season.”



bob




.

Most important, especially so for young guys, IMO:

The deal confirmed for Brown that the team is behind him

"For me, it was great. It shows that the front office believes in me. I got a text from [team co-owners Steve Pagliuca] and Wyc [Grousbeck], saying they’re excited about the future. As a player, that’s what you want: The organization to be behind you. I was definitely excited for that and excited for this season.”

gyso wrote:Most important, especially so for young guys, IMO:

The deal confirmed for Brown that the team is behind him

"For me, it was great. It shows that the front office believes in me. I got a text from [team co-owners Steve Pagliuca] and Wyc [Grousbeck], saying they’re excited about the future. As a player, that’s what you want: The organization to be behind you. I was definitely excited for that and excited for this season.”

gyso,

I agree this is important. I hope that other young players take note of the belief in Brown's ability to develop, the faith expressed, and the chance taken by the team in signing Brown to such a big contract.

I also hope that Brown now rewards the faith ownership has expressed with continued hard work. He's got big work to do on his offense, especially at the foul line, his handle, and his inability to go to his left. For a guy with those weaknesses, and a guy who got replaced in the starting rotation last year, he's getting a major vote of confidence. He looked much better at the line in the pre-season games, so he looks to be working on at least that much, and more I'm sure. I do believe he can be much more than a 3 & D type. If he can get there, and combine with the other couple of young wings on the team, it will be money well spent.

Regards

Last year during the playoffs Jaylen Brown led all SG's in field goal percentage at 50.6%  He also shot 77% from the line.  He also averaged 5.8 rebounds.  

He continues to work on his handle and his passing and his rebounding.  He is getting to rim and finishing with either hand.  His ball handling skills are now including change of pace and hesitation.  Basically he is not just a straight line power driver as he is learning to read the defense better and attack the seams.

He works hard all year and you can see his physical development.  He's a stud.

The free throw line has been his achilles heel.  If he can become more reliable from the line like he was during the playoffs he should have an outstanding year.

The Boston Celtics made an informed investment in him that will pay dividends.