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*The NBA offseason is cooling down, but the takes at OTG aren't. This month, we are hitting you with the Hot Take Marathon. Check back every day for a spicy NBA take!*
This Hot Take Marathon, we’ve considered how the Boston Celtics could take a big step back in 2018-19, at the hands of Gordon Hayward. Infusing the All Star wing back into the fold could cause a chemistry nightmare.
It’s also possible, however, that the C’s manage to take their enormous depth and capitalize on last season’s success. That will require reimagining rotations and minutes on the part of Celtics head coach Brad Stevens.
Jaylen Brown in particular, who started 70 games in the regular season and 15 in the playoffs, will need to be comfortable a new role next year. Fear not, Celtics fans; Jaylen Brown will become the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
Brown has shown immense flashes of talent on both sides of the ball in his young professional career. He’s got what it takes to start in the NBA and make a meaningful, deep impact. His on-ball defense immense, and his ability to score the ball has steadily improved.
Unfortunately for the Cal product, all signs point toward Brad Stevens sticking with a traditional line-up for most of the season. That means putting Hayward at the wing, and Al Horford and Aron Baynes manning the frontcourt. Brown is likely to start games on the pine.
Still, Jaylen is likely to get a healthy dose of minutes, and it’s likely the Celtics will close the game with a line-up of Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Hayward, Brown, and Horford. This, coupled with a featured role with the team’s second unit, should provided Jaylen ample opportunity to showcase his stuff and lock down the Sixth Man Award.
Some of Brown’s biggest competition for that distinction actually lurks from within the Boston locker room. Terry Rozier looks equally poised for a breakout year, and the Sixth Man Award often skews toward obvious offensive dynamos, especially guards. Marcus Smart, meanwhile, offers the Celtics a wealth of intangible value. He’ll find himself in big spots for the Celtics as well.
Jaylen is poised to be a promising star on one of the league’s best teams. He, I believe, should be one of Brad Stevens most effective and prolific weapons off the bench. At present, I can’t think of another player in the league who has a similar opportunity ahead of him. The Sixth Man of the Year Award is Jaylen Brown’s to lose.