Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown fired back on social media Saturday, June 27, 2026, after an anonymous analytics staffer told ESPN’s Bobby Marks that Brown is viewed as only the seventh-best player on his own team.
“Analytics nowadays [are] used to discredit and control narratives,” Brown wrote on X. “Roll the ball out, none of these guys [are] better than me on both ends … who does he work for?”
The three-time All-Star posted two additional messages. In the first, he noted, “Nobody has won more combined regular-season and playoff games since I entered the league 10 years ago.” A third post added, “Analytics have / are ruining the game we playing AI hoops.”
Marks Clarifies Comments
After Brown’s remarks gained traction, Marks responded on X, saying a key portion of his original discussion was omitted from the circulating clip. “But what wasn’t posted was the [two minutes] of saying I’m not an analytics person but an eye-test guy. That I would want Jaylen Brown on my team,” Marks wrote, adding that Brown’s clubs are 191-80 over the past four seasons and that he views the wing as a top-10 player.
Trade Rumors Persist
Brown’s social-media rebuttal comes amid ongoing trade speculation. League sources told Hoops Wire the Celtics continue to field offers for the 27-year-old, though Boston’s asking price remains high. Brown has been with the franchise since it drafted him third overall in 2016.
Brown further challenged speculation by replying “State your source” to another X user who cited potential trade talks.
The Celtics finished last season with the league’s best record before falling in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Brown averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
Source: Hoops Wire
