Yikes. Lots of angry folks taking shots at JB in the game thread. But, for reasons expressed above, I think that Jaylen is going to get a lot of grief. Tatum is sort of a sacred cow, KP is the shiny new toy, White is the most likable dude on the team.
The targets for fan criticism on most nights are going to be (in order) Joe, Brown, "the bench", and then probably Jrue (but we haven't really reached that point yet).
I knew after 1 bad game the pitchforks would come out.
otherwise he had a great month.
It is strange how other players seem to have built up more fan equity or something. Tatum can have a bad week and you don't hear much. Brown has a bad quarter and it is all you hear about. And if Mazzulla doesn't call a time out or makes an odd substitution, look out.
That's what a $300M contract does to you. Expectations are off the roof. Can't perform that contract? Deserves every pitchfork they can possibly get.
And he was the one asking for it, so ye shall receive.
You see $$$ signs when you watch him. Honestly, I don’t. I’m looking at guys on the court, whether it’s , PP, JT, Luke, JB and hoping they’ll contribute to a win. When they hurt the team, as Jrue and JB did last night, it’s ok to be critical. But a contract can’t be evaluated on a game to game basis - worse on a play to play basis. That’s ridiculous and that’s what a handful of posters here do. It’s almost like you’ve never watched a season of basketball to witness ups/downs ebbs/flows, never seen a star player have bad night; never seen a typically clutch performer blow a game winner…. Happens literally EVERY night - good players have off games. JB has been fantastic the last month. He had a bad game and he’s crucified here.
Incidentally, he was crucified here before he earned 2nd team All-NBA and got a max contract. I’m SO glad he’s a Celtic. A great talent - and continually improving his game.
It's only natural to have different expectations for players based on their status, which is defined by their role, previous performances, acquisition costs and also their contract. When Kornet or Queta gets on the court I don't expect or demand them to replace the production of Porzingis or Horford one-on-one for example.
When Brown had an awful start of the season he got criticized in the media. Also partly as a consequence of his notorious collapse in the conference finals. Then in December there were clear signs Brown tried to play more composed team basketball with some outstanding performances.
But this game against OKC he was put to the test when his shots were not falling from the start. Instead of finding other ways to help the team by making his mark on the defense, rebound, hustle or setting up other guys he just kept on shooting. That poor decision making just costs us the game.
Brown is in his eighth year in the league. The Celtics are competing for a Championship. He can't permit himself to keep on making these mistakes. With Brown shrinking in the moment again I lose faith in him doing the right things in the playoffs when it matters. That's for me why I'm very critical on Brown.
Tatum, White and Porzingis have surpassed Brown. And he can't handle that. I'm very suspicious how this is going to work out. Nonetheless Brown is a good player and two-way-wing players are very scarce. So imagining a trade is also not all that easy and it can't happen till summer anyway.