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Jaylen Brown Discusses Opening Night, Importance of Clarity, Motivation, and Learning from Celtics' Legends
As the Boston Celtics prepare for the start of the regular season, which tips off for them Wednesday night against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Joe Mazzulla raved about the productivity of their training camp, stating, "We've gotten everything out of our guys that we needed to."
All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown feels the same way.
"The excitement level is high, the two-time All-Star expressed after Monday's practice. "We get to start the journey off, kick the season off; we've been working hard in preseason, probably one of the best preseasons I've been a part of, so now it's time to perform."
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As for why his eighth preseason has been one of the best he's experienced, the former California Golden Bear pointed to the importance of having clarity.
"We've been real clear in our roles. We're clear (about) what we want to get accomplished. We're clear in what actions we want to get into (in) late game, three for two situations, two for one situations, we've been able to really establish exactly what we want to do."
Brown believes it's an advantage that will significantly impact the team's ability to perform on the court.
"Being able to be on the same page is everything in this league. So, building that chemistry, having that clarity, having that understanding, knowing where everybody is supposed to be, knowing what we want to get into when you get into those moments, late game, fourth quarter, those are the moments you start to see the work, and that clarity comes to life."
What will also go a long way towards Boston achieving its goal of reaching the NBA summit and raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters is the group's willingness to sacrifice everything from starting and finishing games to touches and stats for the bettering of the team.
"The most important thing is winning," voiced the Marietta, Georgia native. "I think everybody is at that stage in their career, for the most part, so I think (that) we all understand that. And the game will decide. The matchups will decide; we'll get to see where the game is going to be won at, and we've got to trust and let that happen.
"And from the top to the bottom, we've just got to be able to trust each other to make the right reads, we've got great players, and do what we do. The game will tell you who is going to need to sacrifice and who's not, but it's going to switch up from time to time, but all our guys got to be willing because the only thing that matters is winning."
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Brown, who signed the most lucrative contract in the NBA's history this summer, a veteran supermax extension projected to be worth $304 million over five years but could exceed that figure depending on next season's salary cap, also addressed whether that deal serves as an added source of fuel.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't motivated. I'm extremely motivated. I'm the type of guy that always finds a chip on his shoulder to come out and compete. And not being able to ultimately get to the ultimate goal so far in my career is something that gives you extra motivation. So, I'm excited about the year. I'm excited about the journey. And I'm ready to go."
And despite him being about to start his eighth NBA season and having played in the Finals, Brown admitted he still gets butterflies before opening night.
"A little bit; the first game is always the most anticipated. It's (a) new season, new energy, (and) you definitely want to leave with a win."
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As he prepares for the 2023-24 campaign, he's had the opportunity to learn from Rajon Rondo, one of the smartest players of his generation. The former Celtics floor general's been with the team since Friday, a visit stemming from Joe Mazzulla's efforts to restore the proud tradition of connecting the franchise's past with its present. A phone call from Paul Pierce at about 3 a.m., raving about the experience, also convinced the point guard of the 2008 title team to return.
Brown shared Rondo's been helping him "see what he sees" and helping him with where it's best to attack the defense. He also appreciates the latter and the legends who have consistently come to the Auerbach Center throughout training camp, including Pierce and Tom "Satch" Sanders, spending time with the team.
"It's so cool having these guys come around and be a part of practice and be a part of the organization. I mean, growing up, watching the Celtics, seeing, like, KG, Rondo, and Pierce; now, being able to have them in our practice, in our film room, and them telling you like, 'No, this is how you got to do it,' this is what they see. I think that's a tremendous honor. I know those guys could be doing a lot more things or something else, but they choose to be here with this group, and that says a lot about us, and it says a lot about them. So, I can't, I'm extremely grateful for that. And I think that's super cool."
Further Reading
Jaylen Brown Teams with Johnny Cupcakes to Give Back to Boston
Rajon Rondo Latest Former Celtic to Spend Time with C's
Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
