After the Jaylen Brown trade, Philadelphia felt at ease. Bob Myers had a discussion that could help put Brown into a new mindset.
The talks around the Philadelphia 76ers are about which star will step to the forefront? Will it continue to be Joel Embiid? Could Tyrese Maxey step into his new role and become the vocal leader? Or will one of the new additions be the guy to rise to the occasion?
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown are looked at as the ones who have to set the tone, as they are the ones with championship experience. Well, former general manager Bob Myers thinks the only guy who can be that tone-setter is Jaylen Brown.
“To win a championship, you need guys that are of that ilk, guys that are comfortable being uncomfortable," said Myers on the Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady.
This is the kind of confidence you need to instill in your players to help them push to the limits. This is what Philadelphia was looking for when they decided to trade for the superstar wing forward. The day after the trade happened Myers said he spoke with Brown and made a declaration to him.
"Don't ever underestimate that you are a champion and that there’s power in that.” Myers said to Brown. "We need you to lead, so I’m going to ask you to lead.”
With these words, it’s no wonder Brown was all smiles at the 76ers press conference. Being given such a vote of confidence has to do wonders when you are going to a new home in the NBA. Brown has always had confidence in himself and allowed that personality to shine through in his demeanor. But now, out of the shadow of Boston and the belief that the entire team shares, he can be comfortable in his own skin and focus on the task at hand.
Brown is going to have to take the lead considering he'll have the offense built around him essentially. Everyone knows James isn’t who he used to be, and Joel Embiid is going to be essential as well. But the one-two punch that will be Brown and Tyrese Maxey will be the biggest thing for the 76ers to utilize when the time comes.
Brown will be someone the team looks to in crunch time situations. It’s going to be up to him when to defer and when he has to be the one to take the last shot. The talk with Myers is sure to aid in what he does this season, but Brown is going to have to believe in his team the way he did in Boston. It’s time for him to take the reins and show why he is the best player on the team.
