Top 10 NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates Entering 2016-17
Brown’s selection by the Boston Celtics at third overall in the 2016 NBA Draft confused many. But he boasts an NBA-ready frame and nice two-way skill set. In a shallow draft, those qualities make him somebody capable of working himself nicely into a Boston Celtics roster. His contribution, however, may be limited on a team which should be competitive in the Eastern Conference this season.
Brown had his ups and downs as a freshman at California. But he meshes well with the virtues that Brad Stevens and company like to stress in Beantown. He brings a physical and aggressive wing with extravagant defensive upside. Additionally, he boasts an ideal blend of unselfishness and aggressiveness on offense.
The Celtics are loaded on the wing already, with both Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley clearly deserving the starting roles as it stands–I understand that. But Brown could crack the rotation which could pave the way for his emerging as a very productive rookie. Boston likes to flex their defensive versatility, and Brown plays perfectly into that type of system. He can guard any level of athlete on the perimeter with effectiveness. He also holds the type of killer mentality that should get him ample playing time even when games are on the line.
Brown also has the type of bullish frame that bodes well for his offensive effectivness at the next level as well. He’s a hard slasher who can finish through contact at a high level already. He also possesses the physical tools needed to slide right into the NBA game on either side. Brown could work well off of the likes of an Isaiah Thomas as somebody capable of diving to the basket or stepping onto the perimeter and keeping the defense honest.
His outside shot looked good during Summer League play. If he can maintain any semblance of consistency, he would be a key part of the Celtic’s offensive arsenal.
Boston stands among the best in the league in recent years at maximizing young talent. Brown should be one more link in that chain. Stevens is a coach who understands the minutia of the game. He places rookies into positions to excel, even when the team around them doesn’t mesh perfectly around their skill set.
Brown is somebody who has proven himself willing to do the work it takes to become a vital part of an evolving rotation. Even out of the spotlight, he’s an intelligent young man who reads the game better than many give him credit for. His mental focus and drive on the court is truly among the most impressive not only in this draft class, but in recent years as well.
This is a Celtics team that has done very well as of late with the pieces they’ve compiled, albeit in a funky and somewhat unorthodox manner when looking at their roster. The Celtic’s selection of Brown left many seeing simply a miscast prospect to a team rich in his talents. However you see it, the Celtics are an ideal team to develop Jaylen Brown’s talents to their fullest.