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NBA rookies often find it a challenging transition to move into the professional ranks right after their playing days in college and struggle to get used to the demands of a long and tiring season. Fortunately for them, they usually have veteran teammates, who teach them a thing or two and help them throughout the season.
Such was the case last year with Jaylen Brown entering the league and relying on Isaiah Thomas to guide him.
Brown admitted recently that on top of the tips he received from him on how to adjust quickly to being a professional, the two-time All-Star point guard shared a very powerful quote with him, which has been his driving force since.
“I got this quote from Isaiah Thomas: ‘If I die, if I’m known as just a good basketball player, then I didn’t do my job, I failed as a human being,’” Brown said, according to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “That says a lot. He lives by that and I kind of hold myself to the same standard. If you’re just remembered for being a good basketball player, I didn’t do enough while I was here.”
“It’s my driving force, just using the game to make an impact on my community, spread light on a lot of different things. Athletes have a voice. [Making an impact] crosses my mind a lot.”
Brown added that he has kept it in mind and wants it to serve as a reminder to always give his best.
The impact the quote has had in his life proves that words of wisdom can affect a person's life in a big way, and that league veterans can become a source of inspiration for younger players.
For the Celtics, it comes as a good sign that the former California standout is now using such quotes as something to live by, which could only make him a better individual on and off the court.
Brown is coming off a decent rookie season, but with the improvements he's shown during the Summer League, bigger things are expected from his starting in October.
If he can be successful in producing better and more consistent numbers, Brown could be in line for more minutes and can also start becoming a mentor to the new rookie next season, Jayson Tatum.
