It can be more than just a distraction to have the name of one of the key players on a contending team’s name in the rumor mill — it can destabilize the work of years putting together a roster of elite, talented players capable of winning a championship.
But thankfully that has not happened to the Boston Celtics despite star forward Jaylen Brown finding himself the subject of considerable speculation after some seemingly noncommittal replies about his future playing for the storied franchise. While uncertainty regarding his future with Boston beyond the final season of his current deal remains, a series of interviews has since given more context to the Cal alum’s mindset at present.
And it is firmly focused on winning an NBA title in Boston.
Jaylen Brown wants to win a title with the Boston Celtics https://t.co/nixYvld50B
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 8, 2023
Speaking with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, Brown shared how the furor his words kicked off has been for him over the last two weeks. “It’s been a lot, to be honest,” he suggested.
“Just a bunch of people chiming in. I see other people kind of running off things that I never said. Rumors lead to speculation. Speculation leads to misquotes and people going out and saying things that I don’t remember saying.”
“It’s just a part of it. I get it that it’s the industry we’re in. Last couple of weeks have been — what’s the word I’m looking for? — It’s been a lot.”
As one of the NBA’s best teams in the 2022-23 season, the Boston Celtics ought to be in the mix for several of the league’s honors for individual excellence in the regular season. https://t.co/NEEBuBO7t6
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 8, 2023
“I was doing the best I can to keep any distractions away from the locker room,” said the Georgia native of the impact of his interviews on the media cycle.
The asynchronous recordings being released at the same time may have unintentionally put a thumb on the scale of public perception that is already disposed to amplify even the smallest hints about player movement.
“I guess it snowballed after the New York Times (story), and people have been holding pieces and they put it all (out) at the same time to make it just seem like I just went on tour or something,” explained Brown.
His heavily bandaged hand did not exactly look great. https://t.co/Z0gg6C3KV7
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 8, 2023
“It came out the way people want to see things, and that’s through a controversial lens,” he continued. “In reality, I have thoughts and opinions about certain things and that doesn’t mean I’m angry or upset, just sharing my thoughts and my opinions.”
“I’m just enjoying my time, and I’ve said that multiple times,” shared Brown, referencing other recent interviews that have tried to get him on the record about how he feels about playing in Boston.
“I’m enjoying winning. I’m enjoying being here with my teammates, with my guys. My family’s here as well, going on eight years. It’s a blessing to be here on a 50-win team. You can’t take none of that stuff for granted.”
Celtics Lab 179: Gearing up for the Boston Celtics’ 2023 NBA Playoffs with Jack Simone https://t.co/dFgGVQG4Yo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) April 7, 2023
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