Jaylen Brown calls Steve Kerr's defense of him "disrespectful" in Celtics' win over Warriors

NBA
Monday, 04 March 2024 at 06:21
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The Golden State Warriors came up with a surprising defensive tactic during their clear-cut loss to the Boston Celtics: leaving Jaylen Brown virtually unmarked on the perimeter. This decision, which some might see as a calculated risk and others as a direct challenge, generated intense debate among Steve Kerr, Draymond Green and Brown himself after the duel.
Over the course of the game, Warriors standout Draymond Green repeatedly opted not to close out on Brown at the three-point line. This choice, which initially puzzled many, was later confirmed by Green and coach Steve Kerr as a planned strategy.
The result was an exhibition of offensive skills by Jaylen Brown. The talented Celtics forward scored 29 points, shooting an outstanding 11-of-19 from the field and 5-of-10 from the three-point line. His ability to take advantage of free throw opportunities was especially impressive, contributing significantly to the Celtics' 140-88 final victory over the Warriors.
Green, in explaining the post-game decision, admitted that leaving Brown open was a last-minute decision. He acknowledged that the strategy was an experiment of sorts, a way to see if they could take advantage of an unusual situation. However, Green also accepted that the tactic did not have the desired impact and noted that they had underestimated Brown's offensive power from the perimeter.
For his part, Kerr approached the issue from a tactical perspective. He explained that the primary goal was to protect the paint, and leaving Brown open was an attempt to maintain control over driving lanes. However, Kerr acknowledged that transition defense was a key aspect that the Warriors could not adequately handle.
Jaylen Brown's postgame remarks showed a mixture of surprise and determination. Although he admitted he was a bit taken aback by the Warriors' tactics, Brown also took it as a personal challenge. Instead of taking offense, Brown saw the situation as an opportunity to showcase his outside shooting ability.
"It's the first time it's ever happened to me," Brown told reporters. "Honestly, I was a little surprised..... But if they want to challenge me to throw we can do that too. I thought it was a little disrespectful ... But it is what it is."
Despite not being considered an elite shooter from the perimeter, Brown proved that he has the ability to punish teams that underestimate him. His outstanding performance against the Warriors' strategy not only solidified his reputation as a versatile player, but also emphasized the importance of not underestimating any opponent in the NBA.