Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown made it clear that he is unwilling to forget the criticism the team faced heading into the 2025-26 NBA season. Despite winning the 2024 championship, the Celtics were unable to make it past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, losing to the New York Knicks.
Not only did Jayson Tatum sustain a serious injury, rupturing his Achilles tendon toward the end of the series, but the Celtics organization also made significant changes to their roster. The team moved on from several key members in an attempt to create salary cap space.
Not having Tatum or many of the other veteran members of the Celtics in the lineup to start this season forced Brown to take on more responsibility. While the Celtics struggled early in the season, their recent success prompted the 2024 NBA Finals MVP to share his current thoughts on the team.
Jaylen Brown Fires Back at Critics for Judging the Boston Celtics Preemptively
The Celtics’ significant roster changes this offseason left many questioning whether the team had a legitimate chance to contend for a championship. While a healthy Jayson Tatum might have altered that outlook, the roster overhaul led to perceptions of the Celtics as noncontenders.
After dropping their first three games of the season, fans quickly criticized Jaylen Brown and the other stars for the team’s lack of success. In the weeks that followed, however, the Celtics addressed their shortcomings and regained momentum, prompting Brown to finally respond to the criticism he and his teammates initially faced.
“We feeling good right now. We started off the season 0-3. We had all types of people that was posting all types of bulls**t. Tell them to post now. We won five of out last six. Tell them to keep that same energy.”
The Celtics are on a four-game win streak that includes victories over playoff hopefuls Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Lakers. They are now 14-9, outside the play-in picture at No. 5 in the Eastern Conference.
It is understandable that Jaylen Brown feels frustrated with what he perceives as the inconsistent nature of fan support. While critics were quick to highlight the Celtics’ early-season struggles, Brown believes those voices have quieted in the wake of the team’s recent success.
For the Celtics’ fan base, Brown’s candid response underscores the personal stake he has in the team’s performance. As the franchise’s cornerstone, he will need to continue playing at a high level to keep the team in postseason contention.
Although some fans may have doubted Brown’s leadership and ability, the Celtics’ recent turnaround offers a promising indication of stronger results ahead.