“Jaylen Brown Is The Leader,” JR Smith Throws Subtle Dig At Jayson Tatum On Celtics Pecking Order

JR Smith has sparked debate over Boston Celtics leadership.

“Jaylen Brown Is The Leader,” JR Smith Throws Subtle Dig At Jayson Tatum On Celtics Pecking Order

JR Smith on Jaylen Brown (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Jaylen Brown is leading the Boston Celtics this season, averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and five assists.
  • JR Smith claims that internally, Jaylen Brown is recognized as the leader of the Celtics, despite media perceptions favoring Jayson Tatum.
  • Jayson Tatum is reportedly nearing a return from his Achilles injury, potentially making the Celtics stronger contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has been on a tear this season. For the first time in his career, Brown is the primary scorer of his team as Jayson Tatum continues to work his way back from a long-term injury. Due to his impressive performances, he has earned his way into the MVP conversation.

The Celtics have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025-26 campaign. With Tatum ruled out with a long-term injury and with the trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics have broken up their 2024 NBA Championship-winning roster. Hence, many predicted that the Celtics would at best be a play-in team this season.

But to everyone’s surprise, that has not been the case. Led by Jaylen Brown, the Celtics find themselves in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 41-21 record. With reports that Jayson Tatum could return very soon, the Celtics will believe they have a shot in a wide-open Eastern Conference.

Brown, who was the Finals MVP in 2024, has been one of the best two-way players this season. He is currently averaging 28.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and five assists and is making a strong case for the MVP award this year.

The Celtics star was in the headlines recently when his panel was shut down in Beverly Hills. Being an avid streamer, Brown did not shy away from criticizing the NBA when he lost the NBA POTM award to Jalen Brunson earlier this season, and not so long ago, he pointed out that one needs to learn ‘flopping’ to be in the MVP conversations during a live stream.

Former NBA champion JR Smith made an appearance on To The Baha podcast and sparked a debate over Celtics leadership.

It’s always been his team. It’s his team for the players I’m pretty sure it’s his team, for everybody else in the media from the outside, it’s Jayson Tatum team. That’s what they want it to look like, internally Jaylen Brown is the leader of that team, 100% on and off the court.

While Tatum has always been regarded as the face of the franchise, it was Brown who was the Celtics’ best player during their 2024 NBA championship run. His performances this season has also shown that he can carry the team and lead from the front.

Jayson Tatum might be nearing his return

There have been a lot of rumors and reports surrounding Tatum’s comeback. After an Achilles tendon rupture in the second round of the playoffs last season, it was expected that the 27-year-old would be ruled out for the entire 2025-26 campaign. But it appears that Tatum is making a speedy recovery, and a comeback this season has not been ruled out.

NBA Insider Shams Charania gave his latest report on Tatum and said he could indeed be nearing a return to the Boston Celtics lineup as soon as this month.

Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum (Image credits – ESPN)

Jayson Tatum has been a full go in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the Celtics. Right now, it’s about him continuing to put in the time, continuing to get his conditioning up and that comes through a number of practices and scrimmages. Celtics officials, Jayson Tatum’s side, Jayson Tatum himself, they’re going to gather in a room and get him to a point where he wants to be which is in March, and as we get closer and closer to the playoffs, make a decision about whether he’s able to make it back out on the floor.

The franchise have a huge call to make with Tatum. An Achilles tear usually takes at least a year. It remains to be seen if Tatum will make his return this season, and if he does, Boston will be a serious contender in the East.

Jaylen Brown takes accountability for loss against Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets have been one of the best teams in the NBA since the turn of the year, and so have the Celtics. However, the Hornets inflicted a heavy 118-89 defeat on the Celtics at TD Garden on Wednesday night.

It was a blowout from start to finish as the Hornets were up by as many as 21 points at halftime. The Celtics struggled offensively, with only two players recording double-digit points.

Derrick White led the scorers with 29 points, while Brown posted a double-double as he recorded 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds and seven assists. However, Brown shot at just 39% from the field and made just one out of his four 3-point attempts.

In his post-match press conference, the Celtics forward took accountability for the loss.

My energy wasn’t good enough tonight…I take accountability.

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics will be looking to bounce back in their next match as they take on a struggling Dallas Mavericks on March 6 at TD Garden.

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