Jaylen Brown was named the 2024 NBA finals MVP after the Celtics game five win over the Mavericks in the NBA finals. The finals MVP is one of the most sought after awards in the league and can make or break a legacy.
Many finals MVPs throughout NBA history generally are players who are considered superstars long before they win the award. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown has a unique path to winning the award. His story is one of the most interesting storylines in the NBA in recent years.
Jaylen Brown in 2017
Brown was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. This pick was generally seen as a reach. Despite some great athleticism there were questions if he had the skills to develop his game and become a star in the league. His rookie year he came off the bench for most of the season. He averaged six point six points per game and finished eighth in rookie of the year voting. In the 2017 eastern conference finals vs. the Cavs he brought his points per game up to nine.
Jaylen Brown in 2018
Brown was given a chance to start in his sophomore season. He brought his points per game average up to 14.5. In the 2018 playoffs the Celtics were without their two veteran stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. In each of the three 2018 playoff series Brown scored more points per game than his regular season total.
Jaylen Brown in 2019
After stepping up in the playoffs, Brown was expected to take the leap into stardom in 2019. However, he ended up taking a step back, averaging just 13 points per game. Early in the season it became clear that Brown didn’t fit in the starting lineup. Brown ended up starting in just 25 games in 2019. In the 2019 second round series vs. the Bucks, Brown was one of the few Celtics players to rise above his regular season play, averaging 16 points per game. However, the Bucks dominated the Celtics and five and sent the Celtics into a new era.
Photo via New England Sports Network
Jaylen Brown in 2020
With Irving, Hayward and Al Horford leaving in free agency, the keys to the team were handed off to Brown and Jayson Tatum. Brown finally took the jump into stardom that everyone was waiting for, averaging 20 points per game in the 2020 season. Brown averaged 23 points per game in the eastern conference finals in the bubble vs. the Heat, but it wasn’t enough to get over the hump.
Jaylen Brown in 2021
Brown once again saw a jump in his play. He averaged 24 points per game and made the all star team for the first time in his career. Not only did he score more he had the best field goal percentage and three point percentage of his career. Unfortunately, he was hurt for the playoffs and had to watch his team lose to the Nets in the first round in five games.
Jaylen Brown in 2022
Brown missed several games at the beginning of the season. In total he ended up playing just 66 games. This is why although he averaged 23 points per game he didn’t make the all star game. In the playoffs he helped get the Celtics to their first finals since 2010. The Celtics defeated the last three teams to eliminate them, the Nets, Bucks and Heat. His 23 points per game in the finals made him the best player for Boston. However, the Warriors defeated the Celtics in six games and forced Boston back to the drawing board.
Jaylen Brown in 2023
Celtics were dominant for almost all of the 2023 regular season. Brown averaged 26 points per game to make his second all star team and first all NBA selection. Unfortunately for him his season ended poorly. In the eastern conference finals vs. the Heat, Brown averaged just 19 points per game, his lowest total since 2019 and his biggest drop-off in points per game in his playoff career.
Jaylen Brown in 2024
Brown was given a supermax contract extension by the Celtics before the season. This was generally seen as a bad decision as Brown has only made one all NBA team in his career and was coming off his worst playoff series of his career. In the regular season he averaged 23 points per game and made his third career all star team.
In the eastern conference finals vs. the Pacers he had his best playoff series, averaging 29 points per game and winning ECF MVP. In the finals he averaged 21 points per game on pace to win the finals MVP. Brown proved he can be a major contributor to a championship team, his massive contract extension starts next season and it already feels like he’s proven he’s worth it.
