You can count Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic among those who believe that the Boston Celtics are going to the bang for their buck after signing fourth-year swingman Jaylen Brown to a four-year, $115 million contract extension on Oct. 21.
The Mavericks star — or, dare I say, superstar — made the comments shortly after Brown and three-time All-Star Kemba Walker combined for 54 points on Monday, as they took down Doncic’s squad in a nailbiter.
Per the Boston Sports Journal’s Brian Robb, Doncic says that Brown is “a great player and he’s a two-way player. He can play really good defense and really good offense. He’s a great pick up by the Celtics…”
“He deserves the contract he got,” Doncic finishes boldly.
Brown scored 25 points (on 9-16 shooting from the field), leading the team in points until Walker scored 10 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. He would also add 11 rebounds and three assists for his second-straight double-double of the season.
Past the stat sheet though, Brown as been just as impressive on the screen as he’s been on paper.
He’s been efficient throughout the season with his downhill style, utilizing clever dribble moves, his newfound ambidexterity and a better understanding of what the defense is giving him to enter Monday’s game with a career-high field goal percentage of 52.2.
Defensively, Brown remains alert, aggressive and willing to take the challenge of guarding the toughest player. He’s creating turnovers, helping protect the rim, defending multiple positions and playing impressive on-ball defense.
As Doncic says, he’s a two-way player.
The question of whether or not Brown was deserving of his contract extension (which included $12 million in incentives) was raised by many throughout the NBA world, from analysts to executives. In no sphere was there a consensus decision, though executives appeared more bullish on Brown than the scouts and media, and because Brown had only shown incremental improvement in his third season the skepticism was understandable.
However, work ethic has never been a question with the polymath and that should have earned him the confidence of some outside the Celtics organization, as he’s improved in nearly every area that’s been considered a weakness of his since entering the league.
His handle is tighter. His left hand is smooth. His decision-making is improved. He’s a threat from beyond the arc.
Though players tend to support each other in what they deem a fraternity and there will be those who take Doncic’s comments with a grain of salt, that the Mavs’ face of the franchise supported the decision to give Brown a lucrative contract extension is notable, as Luka is a storied NBA player in just his second season.
The two-time EuroLeague Rising Star, 2018 EuroLeague MVP and last season’s Rookie of the Year, Doncic is already an accomplished globally respected young talent. His endorsement doesn’t change anything for Brown but as they say, game recognizes game.
So Brown is obviously balling.
