One former NBA veteran did not enjoy sharing the court with Jaylen Brown but understood why things were the way they were.
Jaylen Brown is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. It’s strange to say this about the reigning Finals MVP, but this is the truth of the matter.
He has been playing really well over the last year. Brown challenged several All-Stars last year, and none have met him at that level.
While the Boston Celtics are not as good as they were last year, something even Brown admitted, it isn’t because of any lackluster performances on his end.
Brown has developed into a great player. However, one former teammate of his didn’t enjoy playing with Brown during the early years of his career.
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Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague spoke about his time playing with Jaylen Brown on the Celtics. He noted that he didn’t enjoy sharing the court with Brown, because the young star was so tunnel-visioned.
However, Teague did understand why Brown felt the need to shoulder all the offensive responsibility. As a young player, he thought he needed to prove himself.
“I saw how Jaylen Brown was playing. He was talking so much trash to Tyrese Maxey. He came alive, something different. Jaylen Brown’s slowly become one of my favorite players.”
“When I played with JB, I always keep it real, I hated playing with JB. He had tunnel vision, he was trying to score everything.”
“You’d be open, but I understood what he was trying to do, he was trying to solidify that deal, himself as an All-Star, and it was a competition between him and Tatum, to me, at that time.
Teague clearly didn’t hold it against Brown but was frustrated over the situation he was in. But these days, Brown is someone Teague respects greatly.
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Speaking further on the podcast, Teague noted that both Brown and Jayson Tatum have grown as players since he last played with them.
He added that these days, with the way he has developed, Brown has become one of his favorite players to watch because of the fight he brings on a nightly basis.
“As they grew they got the max deals, they are a team now. It’s all good. We all eatin’, we all superstars, we all going to make All-NBA, all that good stuff.”
“And now he’s becoming one of my favorite people to watch, cos he competes, every day, every night, he be out there playing hard as hell, and he guard the best player.”
Brown is having a strong season this year, averaging 22.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists and earning his fourth All-Star nomination this season.
