On the night time that Jaylen Brown was drafted, he was famously met with a refrain of boos. It’s a narrative that’s been referenced so many occasions it hardly requires retelling, however it highlights the truth that Brown’s introduction to the group wasn’t welcoming from the soar.
The early years got here with their well-chronicled share of struggles – Brown battled for minutes, then for a spot within the rotation, then overly scrutinized for the issues in his sport as a uncooked improvement prospect, whether or not it was his inconsistent shot or inferior left-handed dribble.
Even after turning into a multi-time All-Star, Jaylen Brown entered the 12 months generally deemed essentially the most overpaid participant within the league after signing an excellent max extension within the offseason. He was left off of All-NBA after what was thus far the perfect season of his profession.
Within the early days of the common season, as Brown struggled to get in a rhythm, followers started to take a position – what if he was the odd man out on this loaded roster?
On the heels of all that noise, Brown put collectively a career-best postseason run that was capped off by the final word honor. On June seventeenth, 2024, he was named Finals MVP – the very best particular person accolade within the sport he’s devoted his life to, awarded to the top-performing participant on the winningest staff in basketball.
“I simply got here in and saved my head down and advised myself, I’m going to simply hold working,” he stated. “To be right here on this second now — by way of all of the years, by way of all of the doubt, by way of all the ups and downs, by way of all the verdicts, by way of all the all the pieces — it simply makes the story that a lot sweeter.”
Nonetheless, together with his Finals MVP trophy positioned firmly on the desk in entrance of him, Brown made clear that non-public accolades weren’t a significant indicator of his success. Requested if the Finals MVP served as vindication for all the doubt and criticism he’s endured through the years, Brown communicated that it now not was.
“In case you would have requested me that perhaps a 12 months in the past, I’d in all probability say ‘yeah’,” he stated. “However, on the level I acquired to proper now – it feels nice. Any of the non-public awards, it’s what it’s.”
Within the second when Jaylen Brown was named Finals MVP, he flung his head again in shock. The response mirrored the shock he exuded just some weeks in the past in Indiana, when he was named Jap Convention Finals MVP – however this time, it was much more pronounced.
This time, he additionally made positive to deflect the credit score.
“It may have gone to anyone,” Brown stated postgame. “It may have gone to Jayson [Tatum]. Jayson, like I can’t speak sufficient about his selflessness. , I can’t speak sufficient about his angle. It’s simply how he approached – not simply this sequence or the Finals – however simply the playoffs typically. We did it collectively as a staff.”
The Finals MVP capped a postseason of dominance
By means of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Brown averaged 23.9 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and three.3 assists – taking pictures 51.6% from the sector and usually guarding the opposing staff’s greatest participant. His run was highlighted by a Finals Recreation 3 masterpiece that propelled the Celtics to a commanding 3-0 lead, which was punctuated by him sinking the game-sealing jumper within the waning minutes.
Prior, there was the late-game heroics that rotated Recreation 1 of the convention finals, when Brown deflected an inbounds go and subsequently hit a game-tying three to provide the Celtics a shot in extra time. There was the 40-point explosion within the ECF Recreation 2, which tied his postseason career-high, and the lockdown protection that made Luka Doncic appear stoppable.
Jayson Tatum additionally made a compelling case for Finals MVP, averaging 22.2 factors, 7.8 rebounds, and seven.2 assists in 5 video games — and main the staff in all three classes. He was sensible within the clincher, flirting with a triple-double and ending Recreation 5 with 30 factors, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
When Brown was handed the trophy, the very first thing he stated was: “It was a full staff effort. I share this with my brothers, and my partner-in-crime, Jayson Tatum. He was with me the entire approach.”
Jaylen Brown wins the NBA Finals MVP Trophy. Upon accepting it, he declared it a complete staff effort, and he shares it together with his “associate in crime” Jayson Tatum. pic.twitter.com/4e6Rxukm2o
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) June 18, 2024
Jaylen Brown joins an elite record of gamers with a Finals MVP trophy, superstars like Steph Curry, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Nikola Jokic. The MVP choice seemingly ensures his spot within the Corridor of Fame. No matter how a lot Brown centered the staff award in his remarks, even he couldn’t deny the importance of the distinction named after Celtics legend Invoice Russell.
“I can’t even put into phrases the feelings,” he stated. “It’s simply I’m blessed and I’m grateful.”
On the identical time, nonetheless, he famous that the vindication from the critics is barely momentary.
“The doubters, they might be quiet now, however they are going to be again,” Brown stated. “They are going to be again subsequent 12 months with one thing to say. I’ll embrace that second the identical and get after it but once more.”
