Carmelo Anthony thinks Jaylen Brown sits at the top of the NBA’s two-way hierarchy.
With Brown heading into his first season in Philadelphia after the blockbuster move from Boston, Anthony made it clear he sees the veteran forward as more than just a high-level scorer. He pointed to Brown’s work on both ends as the defining part of his game.
“Jaylen Brown is the best two-way player in the NBA,” Anthony said, according to comments published by HoopsHype.
Anthony didn’t stop there. He also suggested Brown’s defense is good enough to put him in the mix for one of the league’s biggest individual honors.
“I think if Wemby wasn't in the league, [JB] could win defensive player of the year,” Anthony added, referring to San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Brown’s case is built on a huge 2025-26 season in Boston, where he put up career-best numbers across the board. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, production that reinforced just how dangerous he is as an offensive force.
Now he joins a Philadelphia team that already features LeBron James, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, bringing championship experience with him as the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. Brown has already said he is determined to win another title after leaving Boston, and his arrival has only raised the temperature around what comes next.
Anthony’s endorsement simply adds another layer to the buzz. Wembanyama remains an elite defensive presence, but in Anthony’s view, Brown’s blend of scoring punch and defensive versatility makes him the league’s best true two-way player.
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