Anyone can run the offense for the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum is by far the best option, but one benefit of running a mismatch-hunting style of offense with a team as talented as the Celtics is that they can find a way for anyone to initiate things. From Tatum attacking bigs in the pick-and-roll to Jaylen Brown posting up guards, they have a multitude of directions they can go in.
For Brown, playmaking is the most important next step in his evolution as a superstar. He’s shown vast improvements this season, but he still has a long way to go. Yet the progress has been extremely noticeable.
And Luke Kornet recently helped him put it on full display.
Luke Kornet is helping Jaylen Brown show off his improved playmaking
Brown has been dealing with some lingering knee issues in recent weeks. “My body doesn’t feel 100%, but today was a good step in the right direction,” Brown said after the Celtics’ win in Phoenix, via Noa Dalzell of CelticsBlog.
However, with Tatum sidelined, Boston’s games against the Kings and Suns still provided Brown with an opportunity to show off his improved playmaking. And even though they didn’t run the majority of the offense through him, there were a few flashes that stood out.
Kornet and Tatum have developed an incredible chemistry running the pick-and-roll together. It’s one of the best actions in the league and perhaps the most efficient offensive action for Boston. But with Kornet alongside him, Brown showed some promise as a passer, too.
First, in Sacramento, Kornet sets a screen for Brown, forcing Domantas Sabonis to switch onto the Celtics star. Keon Ellis helps over to stop the drive, so Brown reads the situation and kicks the ball to Derrick White.
From there, Kornet knows he has a smaller defender on him (Keegan Murray), so he quickly cuts to the rim. White finds him, and since DeMar DeRozan has to help on the roll, Kornet has an easy pass-out to Kristaps Porzingis for an open three.
It may not seem like Brown did much, but his ability to exploit the mismatch he was going to have against Sabonis and put the Kings in rotation with an easy pass is a great sign of playmaking improvement.
Then, here, against the Suns, is a more direct example of Brown’s playmaking prowess. Though Kornet doesn’t set a screen, he still provides Brown with a perfect target with his off-ball movement.
Brown beats Royce O’Neale in a one-on-one situation, forcing Kornet’s defender, rookie Oso Ighodaro, to help over in the paint. From there, all Brown has to do is float up an easy lob at the rim.
Kornet has mastered the art of screening and moving off the ball. Usually, this is what gives Tatum perfect reads to keep the Celtics’ offense flowing. But Brown has been capable of making the most of it, too.
Individual playmaking skills are important, but great role players make it much easier. Brown is getting that benefit with Kornet by his side, and his passing improvements have been on display because of it.
