Celtics’ Jaylen Brown Says It’s Time To Get Back To Work: ‘Last Year Is Over’

It was a great run, even dominating. The Boston Celtics hung their 18th banner in the end. But the good times can only be good times for so long, according to Celtics star wing Jaylen Brown.

“Last year is over, to be honest. We celebrated, we had a good time. It’s been an awesome summer,” Brown told Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, via RealGM. “I’ve been having a great summer, by the way. But it’s over with it.”

That means a title defense is on the way. And Brown will be the first to tell you that those are never easy.

“Now we got the target on our back,” he said. “Everybody’s trying to come after us and I’m like, ‘Come on.’ It’s back to work. And I’m looking forward to next season.”

The Celtics are one of three teams to not sign any outside free agents (the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers are the others). But that’s OK. Boston has plenty as is.

Along with Brown and Jayson Tatum, guards Jrue Holiday and Derrick White played like true champions. The same goes for big men Kristaps Porzingis (when healthy) and the ageless Al Horford.

And Joe Mazzulla proved to be the perfect coach to pull it all together.

Thanks to their overall length, athleticism and depth, the Celtics may be the best defensive team in the league. We all know what they say about defense and championships.

So the Celtics likely enter the season as favorites with a great chance to repeat. However, as Brown eluded, it will only get tougher from here.