Jaylen Brown always believed in what he could do if given the chance to shoulder more responsibility. With everyone playing off him, he's acted as a rising tide that lifts all boats. By elevating his play and that of those around him, he earned his first career start in the NBA All-Star Game.
Beyond that, his ability to lead the Boston Celtics to a top-two seed in the East, keeping them in title contention while Jayson Tatum rehabbed, has Brown's name in the MVP conversation.
Now, with his running mate back, the two must recapture the balance that empowers both of them.