"I’ve become a man here": Jaylen Brown showers love to city of Boston as Celtics look to win 18th title at home in Game 5

Over his eight years with the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown has evolved into a prominent two-way star, securing the largest contract in NBA history—a five-year deal worth $304 million. With the Celtics leading 3-1 against the Dallas Mavericks, Brown and the Celtics have the opportunity to clinch the 2024 NBA Finals at home on Monday.

In a pre-Game 5 interview, Jaylen Brown discussed his connection with Boston after arriving as the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

"Just to come out every night and play for something, for what I represent, I think that matters. My relationship with Boston has grown. I've been here for almost nine years now,” Brown said.

“I've grown up. I've become a man here. Boston is special."

Initially, fans at Boston's draft party at TD Garden booed when Brown was selected. However, eight years later, Brown has been the Celtics' most reliable player in this year's finals, shooting over 50% from the field in the first three games before scoring just 10 points in their Game 4 blowout loss.

During this year's regular season, Brown averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals. He earned a spot in the All-Star Game for the third time in his career.

With Brown on the team, the Celtics have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals six times and the NBA Finals twice.

In this year's finals, he is averaging 20.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Celtics, who are just one win away from their 18th championship in franchise history.

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Why the Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown

In his eight years with the Celtics, Jaylen Brown has progressed from a role player to a solid starter and finally to a two-way star, justifying his record-breaking contract.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, in 2016, highlighted Brown as a crucial asset with high character and potential.

“He's already an accomplished player at a young age,” Grousbeck remarked. “We feel that he's got the physique and the competitive drive, and the motor, and the skills, and really important the character and the intelligence.”

Grousbeck also praised Brown's intelligence.

“He's a very, very smart guy…[I’m] really impressed with Jaylen A to Z and looking forward to having him in Celtics green. I think it's the right move for our team at this time and in the future."

The decision to draft Jaylen Brown proved beneficial for the Celtics, who further strengthened their team the following year by drafting Jayson Tatum, creating one of the best two-man tandems in the NBA today.