Celtics' Brown wants narrative of NBA players to change
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown refuses to accept the "stick to sports" narrative. While he is helping push his franchise forward on the floor, Brown uses his time with the media to present himself in a different light than what some apparently expect.
"That's just a narrative - I don't know who's painting it, but it's just been there for a long time, and I think it's time to move on from it," Brown said, according to CBS Sports' Adi Joseph. "It's time to move to a new generation where, not only can you have a job and do your job well, but also have interests outside that and have that be OK, there's no backlash from that. ... I think the recent comments that have been brought up with K.D., with LeBron chiming in and things like that. That is a narrative that's been set for a long time now, and it's up to us - the fans, the media, the players - to change the narrative and make that OK."
Prior to the 2016 NBA Draft, an assistant general manager described Brown as "an extremely intelligent kid," claiming he "wants to know why you are doing something instead of just doing it," according to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears.
Brown ended up being drafted third overall by the Celtics and has flourished in his second year as a starter under Brad Stevens.
"I can hoop; I can play," Brown said. "And I'm only going to get better. For everything else, I'm completely devoted to basketball. Everybody just spends their 24 hours different, and I just choose to use all of mine."
Brown is averaging 14 points and 5.4 rebounds in 54 games for the Celtics this year.