The Celtics' Jaylen Brown addressed the TD Garden crowd Sunday, alongside the son of Chuck Cooper, the daughter of Nathaniel Clifton, and the son of Earl Lloy.
The Celtics' Jaylen Brown addressed the TD Garden crowd Sunday, alongside the son of Chuck Cooper, the daughter of Nathaniel Clifton, and the son of Earl Lloy.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
DALLAS — Ten years into his NBA career and 10 years with the Celtics has allowed Jaylen Brown to ponder his legacy in Boston.
Sunday’s Pioneers Classic at TD Garden between the Celtics and Bucks, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the first three Black players integrating the league, gave Brown time to reflect on the franchise’s history and his impact on the team and community.
“History is one of my favorite subjects so obviously I know a lot about Celtics history from its inception,” Brown said. “From Red Auerbach to KC Jones, from Larry Bird to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to where we are now. A lot of history, a lot of great players have played for this organization, so it’s an honor to continue that.”
A few weeks ago in Chicago, Brown met former Celtic Emmette Bryant, 87, who played just two seasons in Boston but was instrumental in Boston’s 1969 championship run. In Game 7 of the NBA Finals at the Inglewood Forum, Bryant scored 20 points in 42 minutes to help the Celtics beat the Lakers in Bill Russell’s last game.
Jaylen Brown and the Celtics wore gear sunday honoring Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, the league’s first Black players.
Jaylen Brown and the Celtics wore gear sunday honoring Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, the league’s first Black players.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Bryant was the first Celtic to wear No. 7, Brown’s current number.
“That was pretty cool,” Brown said. “Another example of being able to meet someone who came before. The first person to wear No. 7 in Boston. So to be able to meet him and shake his hand was pretty cool and just build intergenerationally, being able to connect with people that came before, gives you information, gives you wisdom. As you move forward, you know exactly what you need to do.”
The NBA has plans for a Pioneers Classic every season as the league continues to honor its legends from the past and educate players of today.
“I don’t know what the process was behind it and why it came about, but I think it’s cool being able to pay homage to the pioneers of the past,” Brown said. “I also think there’s pioneers of this generation that we probably should put more of an emphasis on but it’s pretty cool to see people that may have gotten lost in time that have major contributions be able to have their moment.
“But we also got up-and-coming pioneers. I would love to see the NBA celebrate those as well. We don’t have to wait 50 years to be able to honor our pioneers. There’s pioneers that are happening right now.”
Brown wouldn’t name any particular current pioneer specifically but said there are several who deserve recognition. And he said he ponders being in those same shoes of legends such as Tom “Satch” Sanders, who returns to TD Garden to standing ovations.
“As you continue to progress throughout the journey, legacy is something you think about, “ he said. “Legacy is something that stands out.
“The best legacy you can leave is winning. On top of winning, it’s also how you affected the community. Two things I took pride in, being able to win basketball games, win a championship, hopefully more and being able to affect my community in a positive way. That’s what I invest in as a player and that’s what I invest in as a Boston Celtic as a member of my family.”
Trade deadline approaches
The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and the Celtics could be looking to upgrade a roster that has surprisingly risen to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Knicks. But bringing in players could also mean the exit for players currently on the roster. Players such as Xavier Tillman, Chris Boucher, and even Anfernee Simons could be moved.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said he tries to create an environment in which the players can potentially discuss their futures and lighten the intensity of those days prior to the deadline.
“I talk to them every day,” Mazzulla said. “Depending upon where guys are at what that conversation is. We tried to communicate with the guys every day and whatever needs to be said or listened to is what you need to do at that particular time.”
Mazzulla said he’s tried to relay to his players their individual importance to the Celtics’ collective effort.
“The best thing about this roster is each guy’s ability to impact winning in different ways,” Mazzulla said. “Whether you start, come off the bench, whether you play five minutes, 20 minutes, every guy on this roster has helped us win a game, possessions, end of quarters, start of quarters. To be that’s the most important thing, to have guys that have an understanding and validated in what they do.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.