I actually really liked one thing that Ainge said when referring to Brown. He said something like:
"When I'm scouting young prospects I don't focus on what they can't do - I focus on what they can do".
The way I interpreted his words is that so many of these prospects are really just kids, at a 18 or 19 years of age. They aren't just playing basketball, they are growing up. They are getting girlfriends, trying to study and pass exams, trying to learn to manage their finances, trying to plan their careers.
These guys aren't close to fully developed because they have so many other things going at their age that they can't focus all of their mind, their time and their money on one art. So when you see these guys play, a lot of what you are seeing is their natural, raw, god given talents.
Once they get into the league they become professionals. They get full time trainers, dieticians, agents who handle their big career decisions, accounts to help take care of their financial interests. They don't have to ever again worry about not having the money or the resources. They can devote their entire life, for the most part, on improving their game...and so it's only natural they are going to get better.
This is why I think it's important to recognise the prospects out there who have anything that they are truly "great" at.
I look at Brown and I can tell you, with a straight face, that this kid is a great athlete.
I look at Simmons and I can tell you, with a straight face, that this kid is a great passer, a great ball handler, and has great basketball IQ.
I look at Buddy Hield and I can tell you, with a straight face, that this kid is a great shooter.
I look at Kris Dunn and I can tell you, with a straight face, that this kid id a great athlete, defender and ball handler.
Not good - no, no. Great.
I can look at any player and I can tell you what they aren't good at. I can tell you Lebron James can't shoot to save his life. I can look at Kyrie Irving and tell you that kid isn't quick enough, he's arms are too short, and he's not a good defender. I can tell you Isaiah Thomas is so [dang] small that it's almost comical watching him try to play defense.
But those guys are all stars, because they are all GREAT at something.
Jaylen Brown is a great athlete. He has flaws in his game. He has areas that are undeveloped. He needs a great deal of work. We don't have a clue if he'll ever develop into a star - but the fact that he is a great athlete is a strong foundation to build on. There are guys in the NBA who have all the skills in the world, but are held back by physical attributes that they cannot possible change, because it's just what they were born with. Jaylen Brown will never have that problem. He has all the natural physical gifts you could ask for.
If he ever develops the skills to go with those physical tools, then the sky is pretty much the limit.
Topic: What is Jaylen Browns ceiling? (Read 2395 times)