Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown is fully expected to be named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career. Enjoying easily his best season since entering the league in 2016, Brown is among the Eastern Conference’s premier players. In fact, Brown has earned the right to start the All-Star Game, reportedly set to be played on March 7 in Atlanta.

Jaylen Brown has elevated his scoring to a new level this season. After producing 20 points per night last year, the 24-year-old is averaging 26.6 points per contest in 2020-21. He has shot efficiently from the field (52.4%) with a particularly notable 42.9% clip from 3-point territory. Both shooting figures represent career-highs, as does his 75.9% mark from the free-throw line.

A consistent threat from the outside, Brown has hit 2.5 three-pointers per game. He has a chance to become the first player in NBA history to post 27 points per contest on 53% shooting while averaging 2+ three-pointers made, according to The Athletic’s Jay King.

An improved playmaker, Brown is dishing out a career-high 3.5 assists per evening.

Brown has dominated from the midrange. For the year, the Celtics guard has connected on 42-of-79 (53.2%) midrange jumpers.

The ever-durable Jaylen Brown has appeared in all 19 of the Celtics’ games this season. His ability to stay healthy has been crucial in a year in which teammate Kemba Walker has missed 12 games due to lingering knee issues, while superstar forward Jayson Tatum was sidelined for five contests after testing positive for the coronavirus.

A true two-way player, Brown has been excellent on both ends of the floor. He has showcased his defense against opposing wings on a nightly basis.

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Brown will be competing with the likes of Bradley Beal, Trae Young and James Harden for the two starting spots in the backcourt among East players.

Beal was snubbed from the All-Star Game altogether last year, but the Washington Wizards star will likely get his due this time around. Beal leads the NBA in scoring, logging an insane 35 points per game. Despite Washington’s embarrassing 4-13 record, Beal will presumably find himself with the East’s first-stringers in Atlanta.

Jaylen Brown should be the other guard starting next to Beal. Unlike Brown, Atlanta Hawks third-year guard Trae Young is a weak defender. The blossoming superstar got the starting nod last year, but Brown’s current season has been far more impressive.

As for Harden, the former MVP has maintained his dominant play since being traded from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets. Harden leads the NBA in assists (11.2 per game) while averaging 24.4 points. However, the guard’s defensive ineptitude has sunk the Nets into unchartered territory defensively.

Brown’s strong defense is an element of his game that neither Young nor Harden can boast about. While Young and Harden are worthy of All-Star status, it’s Boston’s Jaylen Brown who deserves to represent the Eastern Conference as a starter.