The Philadelphia 76ers’ new-look roster keeps finding ways to click, and Jaylen Brown just delivered his biggest night yet in the mix. In a 127-116 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Brown scored 27, while Joel Embiid added 28 and Tyrese Maxey chipped in 26 as Philadelphia kept its strong start rolling.
Brown’s performance stood out because it came as he continues settling into a different role than the one he had in Boston, where he averaged a career-high 28.7 points points last season before the Celtics’ decision to trade him to Philadelphia. After the game, Embiid talked to PHLY Sports about what the Sixers want from their newest star.
Embiid’s message was straightforward: keep it simple, stay aggressive and do what comes naturally.
“I mean, we just want him to be himself. Keep repeating it: ‘Just be yourself. We got you.’
“Attack, attack with your head down. That’s what he does. Pass, get your way, finish.”
He also pointed out that Brown is carrying less of a defensive burden now than he did in Boston.
“Defensively the load is a little lighter than it was last year in Boston.”
But that doesn’t mean the Sixers want him standing around on that end. Embiid said Philadelphia wants Brown chasing opposing ballhandlers and setting the tone full court.
“Defensively, I know he’s got to be that man that picks up full court opposite guard on the other team. And yeah, that’s what we need from him, and it’s been good so far.”
Brown’s adjustment comes with some noise off the floor, too. He has stayed active on social media and in interviews while continuing his feud with former Celtics teammate Jayson Tatum. Tatum has downplayed any ‘beef’ between them, but Brown told reporters there is some ‘lamb chops and gravy’, and accused his ex-teammate of having ‘good PR’.
For now, Brown looks plenty energized in Philadelphia. The Sixers will try to keep that going in their next game, a matchup with last season’s East top seed, the Detroit Pistons.
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For the Celtics, it is a reminder of why they were unwilling to fully meet Milwaukees asking price when Antetokounmpo became available. Boston has long valued roster depth as much as star power, and this kind of story plays directly into that philosophy, especially when title teams usually need more than one great player to survive the long season. The question now is whether Miami can find enough balance around its new centerpiece before those early concerns become a season-long problem. [Read more 🡒]