Jaylen Brown Is Relaxed, Refocused, And Reenergized At Celtics Camp
Celtics training camp tipped off this past week with media day followed by the first day of practice on Wednesday. Finals and Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was one of the early arrivals before the first official practice. He was able to get some reps in with younger players on the roster such as rookie Baylor Scheierman and second-year Jordan Walsh, among others.
Relaxed
Brown, entering year 9 in Boston, is one of the leaders on this very talented Celtics roster. Perhaps the best thing that Jaylen does for his team is lead by example. Brown has consistently added to his game every summer since he first donned Celtic green in 2016.
Alongside co-star Jayson Tatum, he and Brown have played the most playoff games since Tatum entered the league in 2017. Brown, the longest-tenured Celtic on the roster, can look back on all his hard work knowing it was worth it.
For years Tatum, Brown, and Boston were on the cusp of greatness, on the brink of contention, but just not there quite yet. It looked like they had a chance to break through in the 2022 NBA Finals but it wasn't their time yet. A 43-point explosion by Steph Curry helped the Warriors take game 4 inside TD Garden and eventually the series.
"When you lose, you know, it's hard. Year after year we were close, but those were years my heart was broken every single year," Brown said at Celtics media day.
This offseason was different however, as Jaylen was able to soak up the joy of winning his first NBA championship, and not having his heart broken once again. He looked like a man possessed for much of the postseason run, with his eyes on the prize the whole way.
"You spend your whole life dreaming of being a champion," Brown said. "When I got to that point where that was me, it was bliss."
This isn’t where it stops for Jaylen, however. He looks forward to turning the page on last season and starting the goal all over again in pursuit of another title.
“I’m excited to get back going with the guys, “I’m excited to start the new year.”
Refocused
Despite having a busy summer following the Celtics championship run, Brown still made time to work on his game.
“I say it every year, this is the hardest I’ve probably ever worked,” Brown said on his offseason training.
The Celtics have retained 13 of their 15 players from the 2023-24 championship roster. Entering a season with this type of stability around the roster and coaching staff has been rare in recent years for Boston.
"It definitely feels a little bit different, but I think it'll be good for us," said Brown. "Continue to build off the chemistry that we already have."
Despite the continuity of the roster, Brown as a veteran player knows every year is unique. Unforeseen challenges will present themselves as the season unfolds. Boston will already be without Kristaps Porzingis to start the season. The Celtics big man had surgery on a tendon in his left ankle shortly after the NBA Finals in June.
There are no skipping steps, something Brown has emphasized in the past. The 2023-24 season is now in the rearview, and the Celtics are ready to start building once again.
"Last year is over, to be honest. We celebrated, we had a good time, it's been an awesome summer," Brown said. "I've been having a great summer, by the way. But it's over with, and now it's back to work."
Brown has also spoken about the importance of the growth of the young players on their roster. He foresees the Celtics playing through players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser at times during the regular season. Doing so keeps everyone on the roster feeling important in their role and sharp for the playoffs.
“We’ve got a bunch of killers in our locker room, so I’m excited to go through the journey with them,” said Brown.
Reenergized
Jaylen Brown has talked about the importance of breathing to one's overall health, and how that has impacted his game on the basketball court. Underwater weight training has helped him further hone his breathing practices.
“I can probably hold my breath for like, three-plus minutes underwater," said Brown at Celtics media day.
Brown delivered for Boston with the best postseason of his career last spring as the Celtics finally broke through and won it all. In addition to his scoring, Brown exerted himself on the defensive end handling all sorts of defensive assignments for Boston.
Despite being asked to do so much on both ends, Brown rarely looked gassed or as if he needed a break from the game. Brown's offseason training seems to be paying off. He is routinely at the top of his game even as the Celtics make deep runs into the playoffs year in and year out.
“All last season I was picking up guys full court,” said Brown. “Whether it was Damian Lillard, Steph Curry, like, I’m 6’7” 240 pounds. Night, after night, after night, picking up guys full-court, taking on the defensive matchup, while being efficient on the offensive end. You got to be in great shape to do that or your body will break down.”
Brown was left off the Team USA basketball roster this past summer, and nobody should be happier about that than Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. Brown has always been the type of player who plays with a chip on his shoulder.
“As a competitor, you’re always looking for any key identifiers that can help you be motivated, stay motivated, and add to that chip on your shoulder,” said Brown. “I’m that type of guy already. I’m always looking for something.”
Even coming off a season where he took home Finals MVP, Jaylen has shown that he always has more to prove.
Al Horford commented that he thinks Jaylen added at least 10 pounds, and that he has been a great example for his Celtics teammates. Now coming off a championship high, Brown has already set his sights on the upcoming season. He should be reenergized and reinvigorated to help lead his squad on another quest for a title.
The Celtics start their quest for 19 with a pair of stern preseason tests from Denver. Celtics Nation may end up getting their first look at the new JB then.
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