Author of 41 points last night Jaylen Brown once once more pulled out all the stops to give the Celtics victory over the Pelicans. However, Boston’s other Jay doesn’t really get the recognition he deserves in the shadow of Jayson Tatum. Can we say that JB is the most underrated player in the NBA right now?
Underestimated: to give someone, something a value, an importance lower than that which they actually have.
The definition of “underrated” is very clear, and it fits well with Jaylen Brown this season. With 27.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals at almost 50% shooting success, JB has superstar stats. With a collective record of 30 wins for 12 losses, he nevertheless contributes to the best NBA record. With his offensive impact and his ability to defend, he is nevertheless part of the category of two-way players strong in the Big League. And by wearing the Celtics jersey, he nevertheless represents a legendary franchise. In other words, Brown is doing whatever it takes to get the recognition he deserves.
Except he isn’t.
In the various MVP rankings, he is rarely in the Top 10 despite ticking a lot of boxes. And in the first All-Star Game voting comeback, he finished only eighth in the Eastern Conference and fourth among guards behind Kyrie Irving, Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Another indicator of popularity, the sales of jerseys, where Brown is not even part of the Top 15 NBA if we are to believe the figures communicated at the end of last season.
“I will choose Jaylen ‘Underappreciated’ Brown des Boston Celtics.”
– LeBron James, in the All-Star Game Draft last year
So the question we can obviously ask ourselves is: why?
The main reason is that he evolves in the shadow of Jayson Tatum. The latter is – rightly – one of the big favorites for the title of MVP of the 2022-23 season and obviously takes a lot of light. In addition, JT has a game that is more technically accomplished, more fluid, more complete and therefore necessarily more flashy in comparison to Brown, even if the latter can very well put on a show by dropping big tomars. The fact that JB is viewed globally as the lieutenant of an MVP candidate and his basketball may not be as slick or spectacular as other big names in the NBA doesn’t work in his favor.
Jaylen Brown isn’t one to show off either to strut regarding his individual performances. JB, he’s more the type to show up at work, do what he has to do with the confidence that characterizes him, then go home. Because even if individual rewards are good, winning as a team is better. And when we look at the Celtics today, we have more the impression of being in front of a collective steamroller than in front of a team which is just carried by the exploits of the duo Tatum – Brown.
All of these factors are a big part of why Jaylen Brown isn’t appreciated the way he should be.
Kendrick Perkins on Jaylen Brown: “He’s been underappreciated, he’s been disrespected… What else do we have to do to get his respect from the world to be labeled as a young superstar?”#BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/fALhMqa6Sy
— ????????????????????????’ ???????????? (@_Talkin_NBA) January 12, 2023
“Jaylen Brown is underappreciated. He is not respected enough. We’re talking regarding a guy who puts 25 points every night, who strings together the baskets, who plays on both sides of the field. What else does he have to do to have the respect of the whole world, and be considered a young superstar?”
– Kendrick Perkins, consultant NBA pour ESPN
Jaylen Brown Most Underrated NBA Player?
We can clearly argue in this sense when we take into account his very high current level, the leadership he has already shown within this Boston team, and the progress he has shown in the different aspects of his game for several seasons now.
Recently, a survey was aptly made to several NBA reporters regarding the most underrated player in the Big League today. The results ? Tyrese Haliburton in 1 with 13% of the votes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in 2 with 10%, then Brook Lopez and Domantas Sabonis in 3 to complete the podium with 7%. On the other hand, no trace of Jaylen Brown in the Top 5.
Even there, he is underestimated…