CLEVELAND – Jaylen Brown will get the first start of his NBA career tonight, and it will come under extreme circumstances.
Boston is calling Brown's number in the absence of the injured Jae Crowder and against the defending NBA champs and one of the best players in the history of the game, LeBron James.
Brown admitted during the preseason that he was taken aback when he faced off against one of his favorite players, Carmelo Anthony, at Madison Square Garden. However, he believes that he will avoid such anxiety tonight while facing off against the four-time MVP and three-time Finals MVP tonight.
“I don't think it'll be the same thing,” he said, comparing tonight to that preseason matchup with Anthony. “I think I got all of that stuff out in the preseason. Now, the season is here and I'm ready to play basketball and be competitive.”
Brad Stevens was asked bluntly what he said to Brown today, knowing full well that this scenario – a rookie's first start, on national television, against the defending champs, and against James – could be overwhelming. His response said a whole lot while not saying much.
“This isn't about Jaylen Brown,” Stevens said. “This is about our team.”
Reading between the lines, it appears that Stevens was attempting to take pressure off the rookie. He stated that his decision to start Brown was much more related to keeping Marcus Smart in the second unit, which Stevens believes says is best for the team.
Brown, however, gave a bit more context as to the conversation that he and Stevens had when the coach broke the news to him that he would be starting opposite James tonight.
“He said, 'It's a great opportunity. You've got to be ready. This next week or so that Jae Crowder is out, some minutes opened up. So just come out, be aggressive and defensively, establish yourself,'” the rookie revealed.
That is certainly easier said than done against a player of James' caliber. Brown, who has never played against James, spoke of his game plan heading into tonight's tip-off.
“LeBron is probably the best player in the world, so you've just got to make it tough for him,” Brown said. “Make him take tough jump shots and things like that. Just come out, be aggressive, give him different looks, be strong. At the same time, rely on your help. Rely on your teammates. And just try to make it tough on him.”
Only time will tell as to how effective that game plan will be. The one thing we do know is that this night will be one that Brown will never forget, for better or for worse.
– Marc D'Amico
