Chris Russo Doesn't Believe Jaylen Brown is a Top 20 Player in NBA

Jaylen Brown undoubtedly made great strides on the court this year.

Brown averaged a career-high 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the 2022-2023 regular season. Along with an All-Star selection, the Georgia native was named to the 2023 All-NBA Second Team.

On ESPN’s “First Take”, Chris Russo suggested that Brown isn’t a top 20 player in the NBA. Russo listed the following players as better options than Brown:

Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Ja Morant, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and Kyrie Irving.

It’s arguable that Russo’s list is off the mark. Other analysists at ESPN agreed that it is.

JJ Redick criticized his colleague for putting multiple injury-prone stars ahead of Brown, who appeared in 65+ regular season games.

“The fact that you put Kawhi, Paul George and Kyrie on that list as being better than Jaylen Brown, when all you do is complain about their availability,” said Redick. “I’m not debating whether or not those guys are more talented than Jaylen Brown, but Jaylen Brown plays. You can’t have it both ways, buddy.”

Of the other players mentioned, there is also a case to be made that Brown is superior to Murray, Edwards, Morant, Butler, and Mitchell. This would position the Celtics wing somewhere around the top 15-20 range.

With the offseason approaching within the next three weeks, there will be an ample amount of time to rank the NBA's top superstars.

Further Reading

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With Partnership at Crossroads, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum Discuss Former's Future with Celtics

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Malcolm Brogdon Explains What Caused Boston Celtics to Miss 2023 NBA Finals

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