The Boston Celtics are having a strong season. They are 38-19, holding second place in the Eastern Conference, and doing so without star player Jayson Tatum, who has been sidelined with an Achilles tear.
So who has stepped into the void? Celtics legend Paul Pierce has a definitive answer, and he expressed it without reservation.
Paul Pierce Didn’t Shy Away From Praising Jaylen Brown
In the latest episode of the “No Fouls Given” podcast, Pierce was a guest and delivered a firm assessment that drew attention. According to him, Jaylen Brown has been the best two-way player in the NBA for the past four years.
“I think Jaylen Brown has been the best two way players for like the last four years… He has been averaging, like, between 26 and 28 over the last four years,” Pierce said during the podcast.
“We already know what he does on defense, and he has been doing that for the last five or six years. He is getting more recognition because Tatum’s not there. I have watched this kid grow. There’s a reason he got Finals MVP.”
“I think [Jaylen Brown’s] been the best two way player for like the last four years… there’s a reason why he got finals MVP” –@paulpierce34
Full episode: https://t.co/a12M4hSirY pic.twitter.com/YSVdiEVSYW
— No Fouls Given (@NFGShow) February 25, 2026
Brown entered the league when the Celtics selected him with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
In 2023, he signed one of the most notable contracts in basketball history: a five-year, $285,393,640 supermax extension with the Celtics. At the time, it was the richest deal in NBA history. This season alone, Brown is earning a base salary of $53,142,264.
Examining Brown’s last four years, Pierce’s assessment is supported by the numbers. In 2021-22, Brown averaged 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, while shooting 47.3% from the field. He elevated his performance in 2022-23 with 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. In 2023-24, he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, contributing to Boston’s championship run.
The 2024-25 season was challenging for Brown. He battled a partially torn meniscus in his right knee, missing games in March and the final three of the regular season. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in June but still averaged 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Now, with Tatum sidelined, Brown has assumed the primary role. He is averaging 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, effectively carrying a playoff contender.
Pierce, closely observing his former team, recognizes what it takes to win in Boston. Seeing Brown carry that responsibility appears to hold significant meaning for him.
