2. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Draft: 2016
Round: 1
Pick: 3
Player Comparison: Paul George
Jaylen Brown is easily the best overall player on the list at this time. His production every year has gone up except for the season that was ruined by Kyrie in 2018-19. Here is his point per game totals for his career, 6.6 points, 14.5 points, 13 points, 20.3 points, and now 26.9 points per game. A seven-point increase while playing on a playoff team and having to share the ball with another 28 points per game scorer in Jason Tatum is so impressive.
His name has been thrown around in a few trades over the years, he was briefly speculated to be included in a trade package if the Celtics wanted to make a move for Harden. I think Brown has put all those rumors to bed with his play.
Coming out of college he was a phenomenal athlete that could guard 1-4, with an unpolished offensive game, and a shot that was considered bad by NBA standards. Now he’s one of the biggest assets in the league, he gets to the line and shoots 37 percent from 3 for his career. The Celtics gambled by taking him 3rd in the 2016 draft, and they hit it big.
Other than the job San Antonio did to improve Kawhi’s offensive game, I think the job the Celtics have done with Brown is right up there as well as far as player development goes. He’s not just getting effort buckets like a Montrezl Harrel and he’s not a standstill shooter like a Davis Bertans, he’s a creator in the halfcourt and can play off other people as well. One of the hardest things to do in the league is finding guys who can really score, the Celtics have found two.
Not only has Brown’s offense really come along, but his defense has been top of the line the whole time. It’s the versatility, the athleticism, and his aggressiveness that makes him a great defender. Similar to when the hall of fame safety Ed Reed was on the field, you would adjust your offense to do your best to make sure he is out of the play. Teams today are doing that with Brown, he creates a lot of turmoil while guarding the ball that you’re better off swinging it to the other side of the floor.
For player comparisons, this one was easy, it’s Paul George. Their careers are very similar to me, George came in as a guy with great athleticism, a slasher, great length, just like Brown. Then each year he became better and better on offense and now most consider Paul George a superstar player.
Their offensive games are very similar other than Paul George has a few more isolation moves that Brown just doesn’t have yet, but I’ve seen Paul George stand in the corner with his hands on his hips when he is off the ball, Jaylen doesn’t do that, which is a great sign for continuity and attitude from Brown. Who knows maybe in a few years he’ll surpass his George’s level.