Jaylen Brown wanted to miss the NBA restart after grandfather's cancer diagnosis

While the Boston Celtics lost the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat, Jaylen Brown was the second-highest scorer during the postseason, racking up 21.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. In August, the 23-year-old guard spoke about life in the bubble being tough, elaborating on the isolation. Recently, Jaylen Brown revealed that before the NBA restart, he considered opting out.

Also read | Celtics vs Cavaliers: Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum star in Boston Celtics' 5th straight win; Jaylen Brown stats

Jaylen Brown's grandfather's health made Celtics star reconsider his season at the bubble

On a talk show on Tuesday, the shooting guard spoke about his grandfather being diagnosed with cancer, which made him want to miss the bubble in Orlando. He revealed that his grandfather – Willie Brown – has been living with him, and has needed his grandson. “He’s like a superhero,” Brown said, stating that his grandfather was the toughest guy he has known. 

Brown explained that his grandfather had been to the Vietnam War, had been shot in the head two times, has had heart attacks, COVID-19 and everything "at the same time", only to beat it all. Initially, Brown did not want to return to the bubble, especially since Willie told him he was exhausted and done fighting. Brown explained that he agreed to go to the bubble if his grandfather kept fighting and did chemotherapy. 

Also read | Rajon Rondo becomes the first player to win an NBA championship with Lakers AND Celtics: NBA restart

There is nobody as cool as my grandpa

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO)

“He liked the sound of that, and he signed up,” said Brown. Willie is "doing great now", Brown added, who even discussed his mother Michelle and the bubble. Brown also spoke about the Juice Foundation, determined to spread positive energy while promoting education. He was even gifted tea, which he claims to love, admitting that a big guy loving tea is a "strange dynamic". 

Also read | Celtics season: Stop Heat 3’s to force Game 7 in NBA restart

Brown discussed life in the NBA bubble, which he had previously stated was difficult to adjust to. While he agreed that the bubble needed a lot of sacrifice, he understood that it turned out well in the end. As zero players tested positive while playing, Brown credited the league and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) for maintaining a safe environment. The Celtics star also discussed his community service, where he said receiving the NBA Community Assist Award had been a little "awkward" for him. 

Also read | Jaylen Brown anticipated negative public reaction to Celtics contract extension: Report

(Image credits: AP)