During Jayson Tatum’s absence, Boston Celtics star and reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has continued to carry the load for the defending champions. Now in his ninth NBA season, Brown has already claimed a championship ring and solidified himself as one of the league’s premier two-way players. Recently, he shared his personal opinion on the greatest players in NBA history.
Brown’s “Mount Rushmore” of NBA talent serves as both a list of legends and a set of role models whose styles of play have inspired him throughout his career. His selections reflect a deep appreciation for skill, mentality, and overall impact on the game.
- Kobe Bryant
- LeBron James
- Stephen Curry
- Allen Iverson
- Tracy McGrady
It’s a remarkable list from Brown—one that clearly prioritizes winning mentality, elite skill, and an ability to dominate in multiple ways. All five of these icons left an unmistakable mark on the game, influencing countless players across generations, including Brown himself.
On another occasion, Brown opened up about his toughest individual matchup in the league. Over the course of his career, he has faced a long list of elite scorers and crafty guards—but one name stood out as an unexpected answer.
see also
Hall of Famer calls out Celtics for disappointing NBA Playoffs performance against Knicks
Surprisingly, Brown revealed that no opponent gave him more trouble than veteran Italian sharpshooter Marco Belinelli. Speaking during an appearance on PlaqueBoyMax’s Twitch stream, Brown explained exactly why Belinelli’s game was so challenging to defend.
“Marco Belinelli, he used to light me up, bro,” Brown said. “He just used to never stop moving, and I used to have to chase him around. The system we had was to chase Marco Belinelli around all these different screens. He’s not even getting the ball, and he’s still moving back and forth. You never know when he’s about to take off full speed, start running, and catch the ball.”
Despite Brown’s praise, Belinelli never posted a jaw-dropping stat line against the Celtics. His most productive game versus Boston came on November 6, 2017, when he scored 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting for the Atlanta Hawks in a narrow 110–107 loss. Even so, his relentless movement clearly left a lasting impression on Brown’s defensive memory.
With Brown now firmly in the conversation among the NBA’s elite, his respect for both legendary icons and under-the-radar competitors shows the well-rounded perspective of a player who has studied the game at the highest level. As the Celtics continue their championship pursuit, Brown’s mindset—and his inspirations—will remain a driving force for the team.
