Fans and analysts alike have tried to spin narratives to paint Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown as a player who mostly plays second fiddle to Jayson Tatum. That’s a cheap shot at Brown’s skills, or so he has proven this season.
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There were many questions surrounding the Celtics ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, especially with Tatum’s Achilles injury. It didn’t help that they practically blew up the roster that won a championship, trading away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis.
Brown, who despite winning the ECF and NBA Finals MVP, had been narratively relegated to the position of ‘lil bro’. But the forward took this season’s situation as an opportunity to show the world that he is capable of leading a team.
Brown is currently averaging 30.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, leading Boston to the third seed with a 22-12 record. This has shocked many analysts. After all, ESPN experts didn’t even think the Celtics would be a top-five team in the East. And the good showing has prompted Gilbert Arenas to state that it’s time for everyone to eat their words.
Arenas, who had been critical of Brown over the years, accepted his mistake. “I was wrong,” Arenas said on The Gilbert Arenas Show.
“He is a number 1 option. The fact that we’re not putting him in the category of best SG in the NBA, MVP chants, we need to give him the credit he deserves,” added Arenas.
Brown hasn’t just carried the load for the Celtics; he has also cemented himself as one of the NBA’s elite players this season.
“We’re loud to call him Robin. Right now, he’s holding the Batman sign. When Tatum comes back, and they’re both together, we know who they are now. The discussion is over. I don’t care about who’s better. We know now they both can run the ship. Period,” Arenas added.
The real question is whether Brown can maintain this production once Tatum returns. They have already proven they can win on the highest stage together. So, there shouldn’t be much difficulty in blending their games to become one of the most dominant duos once more.
