Getty
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – MARCH 20: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics faces defender Cam Spencer #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half at FedExForum on March 20, 2026 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew A. Smith/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics are sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings. That is despite the fact that they missed Jayson Tatum for most of the season. Brown has been a big reason why they have been so successful, as he is having the best season of his career.
With Brown as the number-one option, Boston has amassed the second-best offense in the NBA. While Tatum finds his footing, the team can still lean on Brown. With the 65-game rule knocking out MVP candidates left and right, Brown has a shot at winning the MVP.
Brown doesn’t like how fans have flip-flopped with the 65-game rule. He called fans out for their feelings while on a late-night stream.
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Calls Out Fans Over 65-Game Rule
While streaming, Brown called out fans over their changing attitudes toward the 65-game rule.
“It’s funny because people have once again moved the bar. At first, when it was around, when it first became a 65-game rule, everyone was in support of it. At the time, people were talking about players load managing. There were a lot of complaints about load management. A lot of complaints around guys not playing, superstars not playing. Now, it seems like the popular opinion is it’s time to get rid of the 65.”
Brown believes that players shouldn’t get to benefit from only playing half the time compared to other players.
“In the past, guys would be playing 40 or 50 games, and they’d be up for All-NBA teams, and they played half the season. Their numbers would be better because they only played half the games versus someone who played 70, 68, 72 games. That’s a big difference. Because of that is why I feel like it was needed. You can’t have dudes playing 45, 50 games and winning first-team All-NBA.”
Brown is saying this in part because it does benefit him this season. He has been extremely durable so far this year, so he is not in danger of missing out on All-NBA because of this rule. The more guys that drop out, the better his case to win MVP is.
The 65-Game Rule Has Helped Some Teams Stop Load Management
Not every team has stopped using load management as a tool to save their guys for the playoffs. Still, the 65-game rule has done a pretty good job of fixing it. There are fewer instances of players sitting out big-time matchups because they want to make All-NBA teams.
Teams that are tanking still use load management as a way to make sure they don’t win as many games. The Jazz and the Pacers have been two teams highlighted by that after they were both fined for violating the Player Participation Policy earlier this season.
The Celtics are not concerned with doing that. They are worried about Brown being able to carry them to the NBA Finals and help them win it all in a year where there is no clear favorite in the Eastern Conference. Brown is a very good player who can be the best player on the court in any postseason matchup in the East.
Ryan Stano Ryan Stano covers the NBA and College Football for Heavy.com. He has been covering sports since 2017, covering the NFL, College Football, College Basketball, and the NBA. His work has been featured on Yahoo, Bleacher Report, FanSided, and Sports Illustrated. More about Ryan Stano
More Heavy on Celtics
Loading more stories