The Boston Celtics blew a 3-1 lead to the Philadelphia 76ers. It was an embarrassing way for a promising season to finish. Once Jayson Tatum returned, the Celtics became the favorites to win the Eastern Conference. Instead, they have been eliminated in the first round.
Jaylen Brown had the best season of his NBA career. There is a good chance that he will make at least second-team All-NBA. Still, he wasn’t able to help the team advance in the postseason. After losing in Game 7, Brown went on his Twitch stream and called Joel Embiid a flopper.
Now, Brown is getting some backlash for his comments a couple of days after losing in that deciding game.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball in a game against the 76ers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Ripped by NBA Pundit for Calling out Joel Embiid
While speaking on Get Up, Jay Williams ripped Brown for calling out Embiid on his stream.
“You just lost in Game 7 against a team that did work against you. We know that Joel Embiid flops. We get it. And he (Brown) took some accountability because it’s a long stream, but that soundbite, you know that soundbite is what’s going to be used because it feels like it’s about excuses. And that’s not who Jaylen Brown is. That’s not the kind of culture he comes from, nor he established. He said a lot of great things during that stream, but that one thing, he should not have said.”
Brown is a very smart person. He is someone who knows exactly what his words mean and the weight that they carry. He likely got caught up in the moment and was emotional about losing in Game 7. Still, it wasn’t the best look for him to do right after getting bounced in the first round.
Boston did not have Tatum for Game 7, which was a big blow. Yet, Joe Mazzulla is taking some heat for his coaching decisions. Perhaps Brown should have looked at what his team could have done better instead of calling out Embiid for his style of play.
GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown drives the ball in a game against the 76ers. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Boston Has an Offseason of Major Decisions to be Made
If Boston had known they were going to win 50+ games and be the third-seed in the East without Tatum for most of the season, they would have taken it before the year started. It was still a good year. Yet, it’s clear that they have some changes they have to make.
A fully healthy Tatum throughout the entire season will help next year, but they have to be stronger in the frontcourt. The trade for Nikola Vucevic ended up being a disaster. Vucevic didn’t even play in Game 7. That trade kept them out of the luxury tax, and that seems to be the only benefit.
Brad Stevens could decide to make a big trade in the offseason to help improve the roster. Any massive trade would likely have to improve Brown’s giant salary, though.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Ripped for Calling out Joel Embiid