Former Celtics champion makes strong Jaylen Brown statement

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Former Celtics champion makes strong Jaylen Brown statement

Souichi Terada · MassLive

Tue, Jan 27, 2026 ·

3 min read

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BOSTON — The Celtics keep picking up victories, looking like a real contender in the East. It's been a surprising season compared to preseason expectations. On top of all that, Jayson Tatum hasn't played a game yet as he continues to rehab his Achilles.

But former C's guard Jrue Holiday , a two-time NBA champion, wasn't surprised by his former team's success before the Celtics beat the Blazers on Monday . He also specifically pointed out Jaylen Brown 's contributions as the C's wing enjoys a career-best season.

"I knew that they'd do well," Holiday said. "Knowing the type of determination that this coaching staff and organization have, being with this team for a couple of years now. Knowing the type of players that are and how they prepare, I figured that they'd be good.

" Obviously, knowing Jaylen, I feel like he takes a lot of things personally. He doesn't accept a lot — especially when it comes to being bad."

Brown was named an All-Star starter for the first time in his career, which is also the fifth time he's been named an All-Star. He's been at top of the opposing scouting report consistently and has stepped up to the challenge thus far. That's all led to Brown entering new territory when it comes to his perception around the NBA.

The Celtics still have contributors from their 2024 title team, including Derrick White , Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser . But the new pieces have also exceeded expectations this season. Neemias Queta has been a consistent starter. Plus, other guys like Jordan Walsh , Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez have all stepped up this with consistent minutes. Former Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has also been huge in a bench role.

There are still a lot of moving parts going forward, especially with the Feb. 5 trade deadline next week. The C's could make some upgrades to their roster with the team looking like an East contender. Plus, there's the potential Tatum return, who could boost this team to another level.

But it's been the Brown show to open this season, and the league is getting to see what that looks like on a nightly basis. Thus far, Brown has been one of the best two-way players in the league.

"I'll take everything personal, low key," Brown said. "I'm always looking for something. I feel like I've sacrificed over the years in order for us to be a championship-caliber team. I think we're getting to see that a little bit, what exactly I was capable of and what I was sacrificing. I think before, maybe it wasn't so obvious."

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