Boston Celtics: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards
By Kane Pitman
Sixth Man of the Year: Jaylen Brown
Stay with me on this one.
For those that have followed my recent work, Aron Baynes projects to be the Celtics’ best option starting at the 5. The trouble with that is, one of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum or Gordon Hayward will need to be pushed to a reserve role.
Brown would appear to be that player despite a monster postseason alongside the record-breaking feats of Tatum. Brown improved his statistical output in every single category in year two, before taking it up another notch during Boston’s epic playoff run.
Still just 21 years old, Brown poured in 18.0 points a contest in the playoffs, drilling 39 percent of his 3-point attempts and causing general havoc on both ends of the floor. While coming off the bench seems a ludicrous idea for such a talented young player, it’s simply a further illustration of how strong this Celtics squad will be.
https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1000181258910076929
Brown will get the opportunity to lead a group that will consist of Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart and Semi Ojeleye — a fearful second unit to be sure.
Brown hasn’t started a game in his warmups for a regular season contest since the final game of 2016-17. If he is indeed squeezed into a reserve role, you can expect him to feast on opposing second units, and put up numbers that will launch him into contention for this award.
Boston haven’t had a Sixth Man of the Year since 1986, when Bill Walton took it home by averaging just 7.6 points and 6.8 rebounds a night. Jaylen Brown may be in line to break that drought.