Jaylen Brown is a small forward from the University of California. Brown is 6’7 and has a wingspan of 7’0. For the year, he averaged, 27.6 minutes per game, 14.6 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game, while shooting 43.1% from the field, and 29.4% from three.
Pros:
- Amazing athleticism
- Great speed
- Excellent frame and strength
- Excellent in transition
- Attacks the rim
- Can finish through contact
- Gets to the line
- Good offensive awareness
- Good rebounder
- Shut-down defender potential
Cons:
- Inconsistent jumper
- Inconsistency from three point range
- Shooting mechanics are raw
- Predictable offensive player
- Mediocre free throw shooter
- Needs to work on ball handling
- Turnover prone
Overall:
Jaylen Brown shocked many people when he decided to go to California for his likely only season, and it might not have been the best decision for Brown. California did not have the roster to complement his strengths, so he has seen his draft stock fall, but some still consider him a top five talent.
Offensively, Brown is a huge question mark going into the next level. He excels in transition, where he can attack the rim with a ferocity many players could only dream of doing. Even when the offense slows down, Brown loves to attack the rim. His overall awareness of the opposing defenses, allows for him to attack open lanes to improve his scoring chances. He does draw a lot of contact, which he can finish through, as well as get to the line. If Brown could develop his free throw game, he could be very destructive at the next level.
The bad for Jaylen Brown on offense is his jumper. His shooting mechanics are there for the most part, but mentally, Brown has little confidence in himself. If he cannot develop a reliable jumper he will be a spacing nightmare for an NBA team. In today’s league, if you cannot spread the floor, especially from three, it is hard to see a team spending a top five pick on you. Even when attacking the rim, Brown needs to work on his handle. He loves to use his right hand, and has caused little development for his left causing defenders to lock in on this on cause him to get stripped easily. His predictability on offense is the biggest fault for him as of right now, so NBA teams need to see if his physical intangibles are worth the risk.
On defense, Brown has incredible potential. His size and athleticism have the working to be one of the elite shutdown defenders at the next level. He uses his long wingspan to contain his man, and stay in front of him. He can sometimes rely on his athleticism and speed too much, causing for him to get beat, but this happens to the best of them, and is not a major concern going forward. As a rebounder, Brown uses his strength and length to bang with the other bigs and secure the board for his team. Once he secures the ball, he loves to attack the defense, and try to get to the rim in transition, which as stated before is where he is the most effective.
Overall, Brown has all of the physical attributes teams are looking for in their quest for a prototypical NBA wing. However, Brown is a long way off from contributing on the offensive end at the next level. He will need to go to a team full of shooters to free up the lane for him until he develops a consistent jumper of his own. On the defensive side of the ball, Brown will be an instant upgrade for many teams. Some people do question his motor on this side of the ball, but for the most part I see an intensity from him you do not see much of in the modern league. Brown’s draft stock is in the 5-10 range. Denver is the team most likely to be mocked with Brown, but keep an eye out for a few teams trying to move up to try to select him, as he would be a good fit for a few teams in the 11-15 range.
Pro Comparison: Iman Shumpert
A lot of people will see the comparison of a likely career role player linked with a potential top five player and a lot of questions will arise, but if you look at most drafts this scenario is what is usually going to happen. Shumpert and Brown are extremely gifted in terms of physical attributes, good defenders, and inconsistent offensive games.
On offense, Shumpert loved to attack the rim coming out of college, and was a very inconsistent shooter from outside the paint, much like Brown. Besides this year’s playoffs, Shumpert is still not a reliable three point shooter, and I really do not see Brown developing this part of his game to being a 35-40% three point shooter. Much like Shumpert, Brown will make the majority of his money in the league as a strong defensive piece, with any contributions on offense just seen as a plus.
Defensively, both players use their elite combination of size and speed to lock down their opponents. Shumpert is a lot better pickpocketer, nearly triple the average coming of college compared to Brown, but Brown has the better size to play more positions at the next level, and shut down those positions. Both players are also very good rebounders for their respective positions. With the trend of small-ball taking over the league, Brown will need to continue to improve this skill set if he gets slotted in the four from time to time.
Shumpert has found a niche in the league for his skill set. Brown is going to have a lot of pressure put on his back being a likely top ten pick, but unless you have patience for him, you are going to view him as a bust. His offensive game is extremely raw, but if he works on his jumper he could surpass many current expectations, and develop into a dominate two-way star. For now, I am not going to buy the hype he will be a star, but will be an excellent role player, who could shore up your perimeter defense.
By: Mac Crowe, @Mac_Truck17
NBA Source Today 