Cedric Maxwell Weighs in on Boston Celtics’ Struggles, Offers Advice to Jaylen Brown
The Boston Celtics, once a dominant force in the Eastern Conference, have found themselves struggling to find their footing lately. A recent four-game losing streak has left the team searching for answers, and one of the key contributors to the team’s success in the past, Cedric Maxwell, has some advice for one of the team’s young stars, Jaylen Brown.
Maxwell, a member of the Celtics’ 1986 NBA championship team, spoke with the media this week about the team’s recent struggles and offered some words of wisdom for Brown, who has been struggling with his shot and overall playmaking.
“I think Jaylen’s a great player, and I think he’s got a lot of potential,” Maxwell said. “But I think he’s got to relax a little bit. He’s putting too much pressure on himself. He’s trying to do too much out there on the court. He’s got to let the game come to him a little bit more.”
Maxwell, who played 12 seasons in the NBA and was a key contributor to the Celtics’ championship team, knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at the highest level. And he believes that Brown needs to learn to balance his aggression with a more relaxed approach to the game.
“When I was playing, I used to get into a zone where I’d be so focused on scoring, I wouldn’t even notice what was going on around me,” Maxwell said. “I’d be so focused on getting my shot up that I wouldn’t even notice if someone was open for a pass. And that’s what Jaylen’s got to work on. He’s got to learn to see the court and make the right play.”
Maxwell also believes that Brown needs to be more confident in his teammates. The Celtics have a talented young core, but Brown often takes on too much of the responsibility on his own.
“Jaylen’s got to trust his teammates more,” Maxwell said. “He’s got to know that if he makes a mistake, his teammates are going to pick him up. He can’t do it all himself. He’s got to be able to trust that Kemba Walker is going to make a play, that Jayson Tatum is going to make a play. He’s got to be able to rely on them.”
The Celtics’ struggles have been well-documented, and Brown has been one of the main culprits. He’s shooting just 42% from the field and 26% from three-point range over the past five games, and he’s committing more turnovers than assists.
But Maxwell believes that Brown has the potential to be one of the top players in the league, and he’s not giving up on him yet.
“I think Jaylen’s still got it,” Maxwell said. “I think he’s still a great player. He just needs to relax and let the game come to him. He needs to trust his teammates and trust himself. I think once he does that, we’re going to see him take off.”
The Celtics will look to bounce back from their recent slump when they host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night. They’ll need Brown and their other young players to step up and make some plays if they’re going to get back on track.
As for Maxwell, he’ll be watching from afar, offering words of encouragement and advice whenever he can. He knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and he’s willing to share that knowledge with anyone who will listen.
“I’m just trying to help out,” Maxwell said. “I’m trying to share my experiences with Jaylen and the rest of the team. I want them to know that they’re not alone out there. They’ve got someone who’s been through it all before, who can offer some guidance and support.”
