We can't deny that the 2020-21 season thus far has been Jaylen Brown's best. Averaging 26.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.3 APG and 1.7 SPG (all career-highs) tells most of the story. And his 55% on field goals, 41% on 3-pointers and 73% from the foul line (also all career-highs) tell more.
But it is his maturation as an individual - personal growth as an occupant of this planet - and his cerebral take on the world around him that separates him from so many fellow inhabitants on this earth.
The members of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat met prior to last night's contest to discuss whether the game should go on following the debacle in Washington D.C. The final decision was to play the game as scheduled, and I wouldn't doubt that Jaylen was somehow involved in that decision (per NBA.com"s Tim Reynolds):
''Sports is often used as a way to lift people up and spread some joy,'' (Jaylen) Brown said.
Brown nailed it with that statement. In tough times, the best strategy often is to go back to basics. Speaking for myself, Boston's win did "lift" me up, and I "enjoyed" the "uplifting" ending and the final score. And I bet so did many others.
Jaylen wants to be much more than a basketball player, but gaining stardom in his sport can land him more than awards and trophies. He will be recognized, not just in Beantown and New England, but possibly world-wide, much like many NBA stars before him. That is a basic reality.
The Celtics won the game - beat a major Eastern Conference rival - and saw one of the rookies, Payton Pritchard proved himself once more with his game-winning put-back with 0.2 seconds left in the game. His jubilation, and that of his teammates, spread to every Celtics fan viewing the contest. Jaylen was right. Cancelling the game would have been symbolic, but action prevailed, and it was the right decision.
Jaylen Brown continues to progress as an outstanding individual, and by the way, that left-handed layup seen in the above photo shows his progression on the hardwood.
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