Jaylen Brown’s leadership is guiding the Celtics: ‘We didn’t come to Cleveland for the weather’

Jaylen Brown was extremely unhappy after the Boston Celtics’ Game 2 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“Defensively, it was an unacceptable performance,” Brown said.

That’s been his tone all season. After every loss, Brown has been there to hold the team accountable. And in the playoffs, his leadership has kicked up a notch.

He wanted everyone on the same page heading into Game 3.

“I said, ‘Just guard.’ Nothing too complicated about it,” Brown said after Boston’s Game 3 victory. “Play defense, and I think the rest is self-explanatory.”

Between games, they watched film and found areas for improvement, with Brown leading the charge.

“Just talked to them. We watched film. Held each other accountable,” Brown said. “And just speak life into everybody. And set the tone from the top down, and just hold myself accountable. Me, making sure my defenses is right. I think everybody else kind of just follows suit.”

All the work they put in paid off in Game 3. The Celtics held the Cavaliers to just 93 points, marking the sixth time they’ve held their opponent under 100 this postseason.

They are undefeated in those six games, and their only two losses came in the two games they failed to hit that mark.

“I think we guarded pretty well,” Brown said. “I think they made some tough shots, and we could have been even better, but we still kept them under 100 with that being said. So, much better defensive effort tonight.”

Donovan Mitchell caught fire in the first half, exploding for 23 points on 8/12 shooting from the field and 6/8 shooting from distance. But even he was quelled by the Celtics’ stifling defense.

He shot 4/10 overall, including 1/4 from behind the three-point line in the second half, scoring just 10 points in the process.

Brown’s leadership off the court translated seamlessly to Game 3, and it was a big reason they were able to corral Mitchell and keep the Cavs at bay.

“Yeah, just being a leader. Expressing his feelings and just kinda pouring out his knowledge on the game,” Jrue Holiday said of Brown. “Telling us to be aggressive, telling me to be aggressive. ‘If you get tired, then I’ll switch onto Donovan.’ Just being a leader in that way.

“Talking to us defensively, especially down the stretch. ’No threes,’ ‘Rebound the ball.’…