Is Jaylen Brown the Best Two-Way Player In the NBA?
Is Boston Celtics Guard Jaylen Brown the best two-way player in the NBA? Brown, 29, has been making headlines just days after the Celtics’ 146-115 blowout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Brown capped off the Celtics’ road trip on a high note with 50 points, along with 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
The 29-year-old’s 50-point performance pushed him into the spotlight. Even though a win over a Clippers squad isn’t bragworthy, Boston’s win over Los Angeles shows that Boston is a contender.
Is Jaylen Brown the Best Two-Way Player In the NBA?
Brown’s path to the NBA began when the Celtics selected him with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He made his Celtics debut on October 26, 2016, in a season-opening 122-117 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He scored 9 points on 3-for-4 shooting, while adding two blocks in 19 minutes. He later made his first career start on November 3, 2016, a 128-122 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He scored 19 points.
Brown helped the Celtics claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference before helping the team advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where the team lost to the Cavaliers in five games.
He played alongside Forward Jayson Tatum during 2017-18 before struggling during 2018-19. His struggles included taking too many jump shots and an overall lack of focus and discipline, per The Boston Globe.
The former first-round pick found his groove during 2019-2020 after signing a four-year, $115 million contract extension with the Celtics. He tied his career-high of 34 points in a 129-117 win over the Cavaliers on Dec. 28, 2019. Fast forward to the present, when he matched his career-high with 50 points on 18-of-26 shooting on Jan. 3, 2026.
Brown snapped the Clippers’ six-game winning streak and received a standing ovation. He did a great job, setting the tone early. His case as the NBA’s best two-way player is a subjective claim, but he has every right to believe so. His willingness to defend the top opposing talent, while enjoying individual success, is a great combination.
What Does Jaylen Brown’s Outlook Look Like?
Brown’s outlook appears to be bright. He can join the NBA MVP conversation, as long as he continues with his overall impact on both ends of the court, while staying on track for the next 50 games. He has been an outsider, but the injuries of star players, like Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, can open the door for his potential contention.
The Celtics are defying expectations. Brown is leading the Celtics’ play at both ends of the court. Brown’s explosion Saturday put him on the radar for anyone not aware of his impact this season. His December included nine straight games with 30+ points, tying the franchise record held by Celtics legend Larry Bird.
Brown’s Next Steps
Brown is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. His steps could include improving his free-throw shooting, three-point shooting, playmaking and decision-making, physicality and strength, and defensive performance.
The four-time NBA All-Star is averaging 29.6 points per game for the Celtics, ranking sixth in the NBA. He is elite at scoring. He pushed his offensive role into rare territory. He can realize his full NBA MVP potential by refining his game and maintaining a high level of play moving forward.
