Putting his hands on his head in painful defeat while watching LeBron James ' triumphant lap around the court, Jaylen Brown , in the final game of his second season, demonstrated all year that he had a superstar gear in him — it was just going to take some more growing pains before he got there.
The loss in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals for Brown and the Boston Celtics began a new era. Out went point guard Isaiah Thomas who was the star and the leader of that team, and former Cleveland Cavaliers superstar Kyrie Irving came in.
Thomas' short-lived tenure with Brown prevented him from realizing the rookie's intriguing potential. But even through one season that nearly culminated in an NBA Finals appearance, the explosive guard showed his All-Star teammate he could be the one to carry a chunk of the Boston mantle moving forward.
Remembering Brown's rise
Isaiah's run with the green and white came to a crashing finish seven summers ago. But ever since the end of his run with the franchise, the former NBA All-Star has expressed that he is forever indebted to those fans who supported him and rooted for him to capture the 2017 league MVP.
In a recent podcast appearance, Thomas revisited the pinnacle of his NBA career, particularly what he watched from his young star teammate. While No. 4 was busy soaking in the spotlight, he watched Jaylen's rising status as a harbinger of things to come.
"I'm not gonna lie; I didn't see this at all," said IT of Brown's current rank in the NBA. "But you seen traits of him being great. He was always in the gym. He was always asking questions. … He was always a student of the game."
As Boston's top draft pick in 2016, No. 7's rookie season was far from flattering statistically. However, as Thomas points out, California's product was making steady progress behind the scenes. Whatever he did, whether seeking counsel, staying after practice, or getting stronger in the weight room, worked. Brown went from a single-digit scorer as a rookie to 14.5 points per game as a sophomore.
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Continuing to set the bar
Brown is just months removed from winning an NBA championship. He also became the sixth player in franchise history to win the NBA Finals MVP award, edging out star teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday.
Capturing both trophies was a full-circle moment for the 27-year-old, especially after his first finals appearance two years earlier turned into one of his lowest moments. After signing a record-breaking $300 million deal a summer ago, Brown endured the best possible payoff one could ask for.
"I would be lying to you if I said down the line he was going to be Finals MVP," Thomas said of a younger JB. "But I seen how special he could be. I am happy for Jaylen because every year, he's gotten so much better. … From day 1, he felt that he was the best player on the team. That's how he carried himself. … It's dope to see the success he is having in his career."
While Brown's 2022 campaign was better statistically than his performance a season ago, he proved that he is a driving force behind Boston's resurgence as a perennial title contender. He secured his third All-Star nod, and his 23.9 points per game through 19 postseason games led the charge.
As much as he has accomplished in his eight years in the NBA, the next few seasons promise to be even better.
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