Throughout his career, Jaylen Brown has been consistently criticized for his lack of playmaking both as a ball handler and passer. However, over the past two seasons, Brown has shut down this criticism and made significant strides as a playmaker. After sizable improvements last season, Brown has further elevated his playmaking this season. Let’s dive into Brown’s improvements as a playmaker and what it means for the Boston Celtics.
Jaylen Brown’s Playmaking is Helping Him and the Celtics Reach Another Level
Brown’s 3.6 assists per game last year was a career-high; however, this season, Brown is averaging 4.7 assists. His 4.7 assists rank in the 89th percentile. Additionally, Brown’s 20.9 assist% is a career-high this is a jump from his previous career high of 17.9. This season, the Finals MVP is playing with more patience and poise, allowing him to see the floor and find the open man more often. In December, Brown is averaging 5.7 assists, which ties Jayson Tatum‘s team-leading season average. If Brown can continue this pace, the Celtics’ ceiling will be even higher, which is a scary thought for the league.
Brown and Tatum’s Playmaking
The Celtics have built their offense around two elite wings who can create for themselves and others. Over the past few seasons, both Brown and Tatum have greatly improved as playmakers, which has helped make the team a legitimate juggernaut. Both stars are versatile playmakers capable of making the right read on both drive-and-kick and pick-and-roll plays. Given the Celtics’ elite three-point shooting, drive-and-kick plays are a central part of their offense. Notably, Brown has the most assists to Payton Pritchard (17), Derrick White (13), and Al Horford (13), this underscores his ability to find open shooters. In years past, Brown has mainly thrived as a pick-and-roll playmaker, but he has become a more versatile playmaker recently.
With Brown and Tatum on the court, the Celtics have a stellar 13.1 net rating and a 63.7 assist percentage. These numbers are an improvement from last year’s 8.0 net rating and 61.2 assist percentage. With two-star wings scoring and playmaking at this level surrounded by elite shooting, the Celtics are an impossible team to game-plan against.
Jaylen Brown’s best assists of the season
A thread
Clips via @shotcreatordata
— Eamon Cassels (@EamonCassels) December 14, 2024
The Brown and Porzingis Connection
Brown’s connection with Kristaps Porzingis is a key reason for his improved playmaking. It’s been well-documented that the two are good friends off the court, and it shows when watching them play. The duo has also been given the nickname “cookies and cream.” When they are on the court together, the duo has an impressive 14.8 net rating with a 68.9 assist percentage. Last season, they posted an 11 net rating and a 60.3 assist percentage. The Celtics will continue to utilize this duo in both the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop actions.
In the six games since Porzingis‘ return, Brown has seven assists and 40 total passes made to him. While the raw assist numbers could be higher, the total passes and elite lineup numbers showcase the duo’s chemistry. Moreover, as the season progresses, Porzingis will continue to find his groove, which will translate to more assists. Notably, last season, Brown had 67 total assists to Porzingis, which led anyone on the team by far, his 42 assists to White were next up. Brown has become a more versatile passer; however, Porzingis will likely return toward the top of Brown’s assists rankings. When Porzingis was out, Brown had 12 total assists to Neemias Queta; this showcases his knack for playmaking in the pick-and-roll. Ultimately, Brown’s playmaking, both to interior lob threats and on drive-and-kick plays, highlights his well-rounded impact as a playmaker.
The Last Word
Brown’s strides as a playmaker benefit the Celtics, further raising their ceiling. The Celtics were already clear favorites this season, but Brown’s playmaker only cements this. Through 25 games Boston has a stellar 20-5 record. This is an under-discussed yet crucial development for the Celtics. With his elite shot creation, defense, and improved playmaking, Brown is an incredibly well-rounded player. Overall, it’s an unprecedented luxury for the Celtics to have two wings this elite and complete.
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