BOSTON - Jaylen Brown’s Unique Leadership Approach with the Celtics
Before the Celtics tipped off their season, Jaylen Brown embarked on a mission to connect with his teammates on a deeper level. He wanted to truly understand what drives them, aiming to enhance his leadership both on and off the court. Brown had played alongside Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser for a while, but this season, he sought to communicate more effectively with each of them.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla noticed this commitment from the start. “Jaylen’s leadership this year is all about understanding his teammates better,” Mazzulla observed. “He’s really focused on knowing how to push their buttons and communicate effectively.”
What might surprise fans is the method behind Brown’s approach. Beyond just spending time with his teammates, Brown delved into their Chinese and Western zodiac signs, as well as numerology.
For those not familiar, zodiac signs are based on birth timing and personality traits. The Chinese zodiac assigns an animal to each birth year, while the Western zodiac is based on birth date and the sun’s position.
Following the Celtics' decisive 120-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors, Brown shared his insights into his teammates’ personalities through their zodiac signs.
“Neemi is Year of the Rabbit,” Brown said. “His communication style is different from D-White, who’s Year of the Dog.
Payton and JT are Tigers, and Ron and Joe are Dragons. Nikola, who’s new to our team, is Year of the Horse.
It’s actually Year of the Horse right now.”
Here’s a quick rundown of what those signs signify in Chinese astrology:
- Rabbits (Neemias Queta): Gentle and empathetic
- Dogs (Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez): Generous and easygoing
- Tigers (Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard): Confident and competitive
- Dragons (Ron Harper Jr, Joe Mazzulla): Powerful and ambitious
- Horses (Nikola Vucevic): Energetic and free-spirited
Brown took these insights to heart, adjusting his communication style accordingly. “I use this knowledge when I talk to each guy,” he explained. “I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it definitely does.”
In addition to the Chinese zodiac, Brown learned about Western zodiac signs. For instance, Tatum is a Pisces, known for being empathetic and intuitive.
Brown also explored numerology, which assigns meaning to numbers, particularly those tied to birth dates and names. Both he and Sam Hauser are associated with the number five, which signifies freedom and adventure.
This exploration was sparked by friends who encouraged him to try it out. Brown believes the results have been impactful.
“They suggested it, and it’s about understanding each person’s unique makeup. It’s all about maximizing potential.
And here we are, seeing the benefits unfold throughout the season.”