"He’s not in this realm" - Former Warriors guard claims Jaylen Brown is not 'No. 1 option' on Celtics
Jaylen Brown played a key role during the 2023-24 Boston Celtics championship season, showing up in the postseason when Jayson Tatum's shot wasn't falling. The swingman won Eastern Conference finals MVP honors.
When the 2K25 ratings were revealed, Brown received the 15th overall rating with a 92. Gilbert Arenas disagreed with former NBA guard Brandon Jennings when he said Brown could have Anthony Davis' 94 rating.
“Jaylen Brown (92 overall) could be over Anthony Davis (94 overall) in [NBA2K25]," Jennings said, via Legion Hoops on X.
“Cap… [Jaylen Brown] is not the No. 1 option on his team. He sits in the corner; they double Tatum. Pass, pass, [Boston] goes through Holiday… He does not demand the double team… He’s not in this realm [of the top 10 players in NBA 2K25]," Arenas responded.
After Tatum endured multiple seasons of criticism, it seems Brown is now the Celtics star under constant scrutiny. Brown played at a high-level last year, even after signing the then-largest contract in NBA history.
Brown averaged 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game during the 2024 playoffs. Even if Tatum had to adapt his play at times and try different ways to be impactful, he posted better numbers than Brown while averaging 25 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 6.3 apg in the same number of games played.
Perhaps Arenas isn't alone in his thinking, as Tatum was selected to the 2024 USA Basketball team. Brown didn't get the call, not even when Kawhi Leonard left the group.
Gilbert Arenas previously called out Jaylen Brown over Bronny James comments
This wasn't the first time Arenas had a strong message about or for Jaylen Brown. After the Celtics star said Bronny James should get G League time but probably wouldn't due to his father, Arenas reminded Brown about his performance in the Summer League.
“Do you know what they said about him [Brown] in Summer League? He was the third pick in the [2016] NBA Draft, the third pick in the NBA draft. The first three games, just like Bronny, Bronny was 6-for-26? Jaylen Brown was 5-for-26 from the field in his first three games in the Summer League.
“No one bashed him and he was the third pick in the NBA draft!”
Brown and the Celtics have a chance to prove doubters wrong next season. They still have a terrific core and seem hungry to win another championship.