Jaylen Brown Ignites Celtics’ Quest for Back-to-Back Titles: ‘We’re the Target Now’
The Boston Celtics are riding high after their impressive victory in the 2024 NBA Finals, but they are not letting their guard down. With the new season approaching, the Celtics, especially star player Jaylen Brown, are focused and ready for the challenges ahead.
Brown has been particularly dedicated, using his summer to stay in top shape with rigorous underwater pool workouts in Bahrain. Despite the celebrations and the high from winning the Finals MVP for his outstanding performance against the Dallas Mavericks, Brown is already shifting his focus to the upcoming season.
In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole, Brown emphasized the need to move past last year’s success and concentrate on the future. “Last year is over,” Brown stated. “We celebrated, we had a good time, it’s been an awesome summer – I’ve been having a great summer, by the way – but it’s over with, and now it’s back to work.”
This summer wasn’t without its setbacks for Brown. Despite his stellar performance in the Finals, he was not selected to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Brown suggested that his past criticisms of Nike, a sponsor of Team USA, may have influenced his omission. This snub has provided Brown with additional motivation as he prepares for the season.
With the Celtics now wearing the target of being the reigning champions, Brown welcomes the challenge. “Now we’ve got the target on our back,” he said. “Everybody’s trying to come after us, and I’m like, ‘Come on.’” With the entire core from the championship season intact, including key players like Jayson Tatum, who also has extra motivation after limited minutes with Team USA, the Celtics are poised to defend their title.
If any team is equipped to break the streak of no repeat champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2018, it’s Boston.