Celts
With Bill Russell's NBA Finals MVP trophy next to him, Celtics star Jaylen Brown answered quite a few questions from the media after Boston won its 18th championship late Monday night at TD Garden.
Here are some highlights from the Finals MVP's press conference after the Celtics' title run ended.
Go home as MVP of the ultimate
Brown was candid after the Celtics booked their ticket to the NBA Finals with a four-game win over the Pacers last month.
“I didn't expect that at all. I never win [expletive],” Brown said after taking home the Larry Bird Trophy as MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals. “I was just happy we won.”
A few weeks later, Brown can now add another trophy to his resume: Bill Russell’s NBA Finals MVP title.
The 27-year-old swingman delivered throughout Boston's series against the Mavericks, scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Boston's decisive Game 5 on Monday night.
In five games against Dallas, Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game – and played elite defense against one of the league's best scorers, Luka Doncic.
Brown was one of several deserving candidates for Finals MVP, with teammate Jayson Tatum launching a spirited offensive in Game 5 with a masterpiece of 31 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists in the last minute.
“I can't even put into words the emotion,” Brown said. “I'm just blessed and thankful. This was a team effort. We had an excellent team. My teammates were great. They let me lead on each ends of the ball and we just got here out and placed on an excellent performance on our home floor. It's just unbelievable. You know, it could have gone to anybody.”
“It could have gone to Jayson. Jayson, I can't speak enough about his selflessness. You know, I can't speak enough about his attitude. It's just the way in which he approached not only this series or the Finals, however the playoffs on the whole. And we did it together as a team, and that was a very powerful thing.”
Given their shared history and important role in Boston's competitive window, Brown expressed relief that he and Tatum will finally be able to share a title after repeated doubts about it.
“We've been through quite a bit,” Brown said of himself and Tatum. “We've been playing together for seven years now. We've been through quite a bit, the losses, the expectations. The media has said all types of things: If we are able to't play together, we'll never win.”
“We heard all the things. But we just blocked it out and just kept going. I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together. To get thus far and share this experience with JT is just amazing, you recognize what I mean? It's incredible and it feels amazing.”
Brown gives Russell his best
Considering how much Brown has placed emphasis on social justice and community involvement throughout his time with the Celtics, being the first to take home the NBA Finals MVP trophy – named after legend Bill Russell – had special meaning for him.
“To be honest, I can't even put it into words,” Brown said. “Just Bill Russell and what he meant to me on my trip to Boston and his spirit. You know, all the things he stood for, only for this to be the Bill Russell MVP Award, it's just – I actually have nothing, man. I don't even know what to say. It's unreal.”
Back to back?
It didn't take long for Brown to answer the question of whether this Celtics core has the tools to play running back in 2024-25. Questions about Al Horford's age aside, the Celtics are expected to keep all of their starters and key players on the roster next year, including Brown, Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White.
“I feel we now have a probability,” Brown said. “I feel we definitely have a window of opportunity. We're taking it day-to-day. We definitely should ensure that we stay healthy. But you recognize, we're going to benefit from the summer, benefit from the moment after which get right back into it next 12 months.”
“I do know she was watching.”
Brown was moved to tears at the end of his press conference as he remembered his grandmother, Dianne Varnado, who passed away in March 2023. Earlier this week, he wore a T-shirt with a photo of her during practice at TD Garden.
“I wish my grandmother was here with me to experience this moment,” Brown said. “But I woke up from my pregame nap and had a dream, and my grandmother was within the dream and she or he hugged me this afternoon. I just knew all the things was going to be OK.”
“But I wish she might be here. But she was so essential and pivotal in my life. And that's just great. I do know she could be happy with me. Grandma, I do know she was watching, and I like you a lot.”
image credit : www.boston.com