Trading for Jaylen Brown is a move that makes the Philadelphia 76ers instantly more dangerous. His two-way versatility and devastating scoring record are something that every team in the league is craving. However, these attributes do not change the fact that Brown is human; he is going to need time to adapt to his new surroundings. Sixers fans must remain patient because, as we saw with Paul George, the results are not always pretty during a transition period.
Jaylen Brown is going to need time to adapt
Ambitious signings create a stir across fanbases, but it also increases expectations, and the Philadelphia faithful will expect a championship tilt. The reality is, Jaylen Brown does move the goalposts for the 76ers, especially now that he is partnered with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Nevertheless, Rome wasn't built in a day; these stars are going to need time to build chemistry and become accustomed to the way each other moves.
Throughout his time in Boston, Brown was always willing to play second fiddle to Jayson Tatum if it was going to help lead his team to glory. The 29-year-old would contribute in any area the Celtics needed him to. Whether that was scoring points or defending his basket, his elite skill set allowed him to contribute on almost every front.
Unlike Paul George, Brown's two-way versatility is going to be a huge boost for this roster in many different areas, but what these two players have in common is their need to adapt. During his opening months as a Sixer, George struggled to set his ego aside and accept the role as Philadelphia's third offensive option after years of being the leading man for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Given Brown's relentless mentality and experience of not being a team's primary ball handler, this should shorten the adjustment time, but being in a new city, a different culture, and surrounded by new teammates is difficult for any player -- not to mention one who has spent his entire career in one organisation.
Tyrese Maxey could be the player to take a backseat
While Jaylen Brown will most likely slide into the lineup in the place of Paul George, it is hard to imagine a world where he assumes the same role in Nick Nurse's offensive blueprint. Brown might understand the 76ers' hierarchy in terms of Joel Embiid being the main man when he is available, but sitting behind Maxey in the pecking order may be too big a pill to swallow.
The fact of the matter is that Maxey has more than earned the trust of his head coach. Coming off the back of a career year in which he averaged 28.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, while shooting 46.2% from the floor and 36.7% from deep. Maxey will be hell-bent on continuing his rapid ascension to stardom, which leaves Nick Nurse with a tough dilemma.
Some may call it an embarrassment of riches; some may call it an impossible situation; however, nobody is going to feel sorry for Nurse for having to make this call. It is a choice that can derail a franchise's chances of a championship, but one of these two players is going to have to accept a less prominent role in the offense, and with Brown's championship experience, I can't see a scenario in which he is the star to do so.
This is one of the craziest offseasons the NBA has witnessed in a long time, so every team will have to endure teething problems. Philadelphia's fanbase is going to have to be patient and can't expect this team to dominate from the first tip of the season.
The main priority for this roster is to cement an automatic postseason berth and hit the peak of their powers as the playoffs begin. If the 76ers can get this right, then they have the potential to end their 46-year wait for a championship.
Add us as a preferred source on Google