Celtics’ Jaylen Brown explains ‘shocked’ reaction to winning Finals MVP

Throughout the 2023-24 season, it looked like the Boston Celtics would finally break through in the era led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. They had the perfect combination of defense, shooting and leadership, and in the end, the Celtics took flag number 18 after dispatching the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals. But on a team that many believed was captained by Tatum, it was Brown who won Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP.

Tatum has had his fair share of shooting struggles during the NBA Finals, while Brown has had less variation in his level of play. It was his defense that took him to the top, however. He defended his heart out against Mavericks big man Luka Doncic while scoring just seven fewer points than Tatum throughout the series while attempting 14 fewer shots from the field.

Brown certainly deserved to win the NBA Finals MVP award, but even so, the Celtics star revealed he felt “shocked” shortly after reaching the top of the league.

“I was shocked. You get so caught up in the journey that sometimes you block everything out. Your focus becomes so unyielding that nothing else exists other than what is in front of you and the work that needs to be done. So honestly, when we won, it felt like we had another series to play. It felt like there was another game coming up. My mind instantly went into preparation mode. I was having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that ‘Nah, this is it.’ We did it,” Brown said during his conversation with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

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The Celtics have not missed the playoffs throughout Brown’s career. However, they have consistently failed in their attempt to win a title before 2024. They have seen their season come to an end in the Eastern Conference Finals four times since 2017, and even suffered a heartbreaking loss in the NBA Finals in 2022. So, finally Being an NBA champion was a refreshing change for Brown – a pleasant shock, so to speak.

But the road ahead is even tougher for Brown and the Celtics. As competitors, you won’t rest easy after winning just one championship. However, the entire league will be shooting at their heads, leaving no room for complacency.

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics begin their title defense on Tuesday night

Until further notice, the Celtics remain the favorites to win the title in 2025. Kristaps Porzingis may be injured at the moment, but even with Porzingis playing a limited role in last year’s playoffs, the Celtics still managed to overcome the challenge and hoist the trophy Larry O’Brien in the season finale.

The Celtics’ key players simply complement each other like bread and butter. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, just to name a few, will do their best to dethrone the Celtics, but now that they are armed with championship experience, the best may be yet to come. Boston.