NBA Playoffs 2024: Celtics Cornerstone flies under the radar

How many of a team's top scorers are among the least discussed players in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs? This postseason has only been one, as Boston Celtics winger Jaylen Brown had largely flown under the radar until yesterday.

In Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Brown set the tone for the Celtics, scoring their first seven points.

He finished the game with a team-high 32 points on 12-18 shooting from the field (4-6 from 3). The Cavs had no answer for him as Boston held a 25-point lead.

Jaylen Brown is flying under the radar

Brown is now averaging 24.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this postseason while shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three. He leads the team in scoring average. Meanwhile, his field goal percentage, rebound average and steal rate (1.3 percent) rank third among the team's rotation players.

But while his teammates' accomplishments are usually met with thunderous applause, Brown has become Boston's red-headed stepchild. At that point, Brown also led the team in scoring with 22.8 points per game on 52.2 percent shooting in the first round. You would never guess it as this series' storylines focused on Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis.

Still, Tatum only made 41.6 percent of his field goal attempts and 29.0 percent of his three-point attempts. Porzingis averaged 12.3 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent from the field. White continued his outstanding 2023-24 season, averaging 22.4 points and 1.0 blocks per game on .577-.477-.900 shooting distributions. However, 60.0 percent of his field goals were assisted. That doesn't diminish his impact, but it shows that he has to do a little less to get his points than Brown.

Why isn't he more popular?

All of this begs the question: Is Brown less popular than his teammates?

Sure, the Celtics fans and media like him. He is level-headed, thoughtful and takes part in interviews. He is generous with his time and money when it comes to the Boston community. While many NBA stars adopt a rock star persona, Brown is down-to-earth and hardly behaves like someone who makes $129.5 million in a career (and counting). On the court, Brown has exceeded his pre-draft hype as an athletic, two-upside winger and has also developed into an outstanding scorer.

But in the age of social media, groupthink and viral posts dominate. So when a user stitches together clips showing his tendency to turn the ball over with his non-dominant hand, these are among the first things people think of about Brown. When he signs a hefty contract extension and then falls in the Eastern Conference Finals, his dominance up to that point in the playoffs is forgotten. In other words, public perception of Brown is more tied to sensational moments than to his entire body of work.

Does he need his own team?

Public opinion could change organically if Brown shines in the conference finals or the NBA finals. Boston revels in its playoff history, and when Brown shines on the biggest stage, he'll be proud too. However, if even The doesn't earn him more respect, there is another option.

He leads his own team.

The Celtics' revamped core is a major factor in their 64-18 record in the 2023-24 season. Already led by two of the NBA's best players, Tatum and Brown, Boston added Porzingis and Jrue Holiday last offseason. Although these decisions ensured that the Celtics had the best record in the NBA, they were also the reason Boston did not have an MVP finalist. There is so much talent in the squad that it has become difficult to single out the most important player.

Tatum has the most comprehensive skill set. Brown is their best two-way player. White developed into a two-way playmaker and became one of the game's better point guards. Holiday's basketball IQ, defensive prowess and 3-point accuracy make them that much harder to beat. Porzingis makes life easier for Boston on both ends with his length, perimeter skills and interior defense.

It's not difficult to stand out in such a group. It's also not hard to tell who stands out from the rest. However, it's nearly impossible to single out one player as the driving force behind their success, and that might be what Brown needs for a little more respect; so people know he can be successful without the Celtics.

Would the Celtics trade him?

With Brown under contract through the 2028-29 season, Boston won't have to consider life without him for a while.

However, if Brown were to request a trade, the Celtics would likely grant him. Brown has great trade value as an elite player in his prime. He was also a good soldier who kept his head down and worked hard ever since he arrived in Boston. Ultimately, the Celtics shouldn't mind terminating his contract since he's still owed another $286 million.