In the last 30+ years, roughly 50% of the #3 overall picks have become All Stars. Another 30% became solid players and only about 20% became role players or outright busted. 70% of players who have made an All-NBA team were picked in the top 5. Getting a top pick is crucial. Despite the moaning from the typical crowd on draft night (and after the lottery balls), I was pretty thrilled to get such a player.
But what is also crucial to a young player is the type of situation they fall into. What's the culture? What role are they expected to have? In that Jaylen Brown could not have landed in a better situation.
1. Front Office - The Cs have long term management secured with the Danny & Brad Show. Both were recently signed to long term extensions. There's no question who runs the team or how it is run. So many young players end up going to really bad teams with constant management and coaching changes. Brown doesn't have to deal with that. He comes into an established situation with known processes and expectations.
2. Coaching - In Brad Stevens, Brown could probably not ask for a better coach for a young player. He's known as being a players' coach and can effectively communicate with younger players (probably from his recruiting days) . He's also highly disciplined, sets the proper expectations and is known as a great in-game coach. He's demonstrated time and time again he knows how to get the most from his players and put them in roles in which they succeed. Brown can only benefit from this.
3. Player Leadership - So many highly drafted players have a real dearth of leadership in the locker room. It makes for a tough situation. It's something Philly has been struggling with for a number of years. In the Celtics, Brown walks into a situation where guys like Bradley, Crowder and IT are known as leaders in the locker room. Yet they're not superstars and not so aloof or old that he'll be neglected. This team gets along and there's no acknowledged superstar on a team that won almost 50 games. Hortford only strengthens the locker room and even quieter guys like Amir show true professionalism. From the moment he walks into that locker room, he'll be accepted but guided. He'll be shown what it means to be a true professional without being barked at.
4. Culture - The Cs have won more NBA Championships than anyone. There's an expectation of winning here. But the days of "Larry Bird isn't walking through that door" are over. There's a quiet confidence that comes with winning but also knowing you have to put everything on the court to earn that win. Instead of having to deal with the frustration of losing 60 games, Brown comes aboard a team where winning is not only desired but expected.
5. Mentor - This is a little different than general leadership. Brown has a ready-made mentor in Crowder. Jae came into this league on a non-guaranteed contract and he's carved out a role for himself with hard work. Brown is going to see Crowder in the weight room every day. He's going to practice against him. But because Crowder is a leader, Brown is going to get tips and tricks from a guy who knows that Jaylen may eventually replace him. He probably couldn't get a better mentor in the league. He'll also get tips on driving the lane from IT. He'll get defensive help from Bradley and Smart. He has mentors to help him get up to speed from players who have an interest in winning.
6. Roles and Needs - Many young players are just thrown out on the court and have to learn on the job. Sometimes this works and they persevere. Others flounder for many years (think of Evan Turner) until someone can figure out how to use their talents. Brown doesn't have to deal with being thrown to the wolves yet there's already a role that is perfect for him that the team needs with the departure of Turner.
Crowder is starting a powerful defensive-oriented SF who isn't much of a creator. Brown is a quick, athletic offensive-oriented SF who can create his own shot. So he has a ready-made role for him to step into as a 2nd team scorer off the bench. When Crowder moves to PF when the Cs play small ball, Brown fits very well in that SF spot to help generate offense. There's already an obvious role that he's going to be able to fill and therefore Brad can help him contribute in that role while he learns the rest of the NBA game.
7. Expectations - Because this is a winning team, there's no expectation that Brown has to carry this team on his shoulders. He can start off being a contributor and step up as he feels he can shoulder that load. Yet because he is the highest draft pick in recent memory, it's not like there are no expectations.
8. Opportunity - Yet with all that said, Brown seems to be an aggressive young man. If he wants to take on more, there is the opportunity for him to do so. Crowder is a solid pro but he's not a star. His long-term contract amount and his game are well suited to coming off the bench. So if Brown shines, he could with hard work take away Crowder's starting gig. He'll have to earn it but he's not trying to replace an All-Star. The opportunity is there for him to seize but unlike so many other high draftees, it won't be given to him. The carrot that dangles out there is achievable and that should motivate him to work hard to grab it.
Jaylen Brown probably couldn't have found himself in a better situation. He comes to a team young enough to identify with but has an expectation of winning with established leaders. He has a great coach and front office. There's a need right now that he can fill without asking him to do too much his first year. There are minutes to earn and eventually a starting role to grab. It's all achievable but it won't be given to him.
Because of all these positive factors, combined with his obvious skills on the court, I have put my prediction in my sig on the future of Jaylen Brown.
Topic: Celtics Perfect for Jaylen Brown (Read 1625 times)