Your Morning Dump... Where the Jaylen Brown era is upon us

(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

Less than four minutes into Brown’s first NBA shift, he got behind the Nets’ defense and stormed the baseline. Hamilton, a 7-footer, shuffled to the edge of the charge circle and tried to deter him, but Brown exploded off the blocks and reached back with the ball palmed in his right hand for a tomahawk jam. Hamilton absorbed a knee just north of the groin, Brown came up short on the dunk attempt and the brief burst of pain likely spared Hamilton a lifetime on Brown’s first NBA poster.

“Nothing against Justin Hamilton, man, I’m just out here playing basketball, trying to make a name and trying to be the best version of myself and my team,” Brown said.

ESPN Boston

At some point in the game last night, fans–who may or may not have booed Brown’s selection in June–started chanting “Brooklyn Draft Pick” when Jaylen was at the free throw line. That’s cold.

I’ll admit I spent at least part of the game wondering why Boston’s defense was so iffy before remembering that both Olynyk and more importantly Smart were sidelined with injuries. It’s a testament that the interest in Brown and Horford was so high that the absence of two key pieces slipped the minds of more than a few fans.

Reminder this is a spot where Smart and Olynyk would normally be in the game

— John Karalis (@RedsArmy_John) October 27, 2016

Page 2: Where the starters had to finish off the Nets

“Yeah, we had checked out a little bit, mentally and physically,” Crowder admitted. “I know our bodies were not warm enough to do what we did, but we got it done. We’re not complaining. We’re just going to learn from it.”

NESN

That’s Jae Crowder talking about the starters–but he might just as well have been describing the second unit. Down a couple rotation players, sure, running a rookie playing in his first game? Check. But still, there’s veteran talent on that squad that just did not play well to close the game. This ain’t the preseason. The Nets aren’t going to pull their starters just because Stevens pulled his. And you can bet the Nets are going to be extra-motivated every time they play Boston this year.

Page 3: Where RJ Hunter is a Bull

Hunter, 23, lost a preseason competition with James Young for the final roster spot. The No. 28 overall pick last summer cleared waivers Wednesday night and didn’t take long to find a new team.

Coincidentally, the Celtics play the Bulls twice over the next week: Thursday in Chicago and next Wednesday in Boston.

MassLive

Not surprising that the RJ Hunter landed with another team–or that he cleared waivers for that matter. The Bulls are taking a fairly cheap gamble here. Certainly not on the scale of the bet they placed on Dwyane Wade’s knees earlier this year.

If RJ Hunter is able to develop a consistent shot, that could be a good pickup for the Bulls–but the Bulls might need to take a long view–RJ’s shot didn’t develop fast enough to keep him on the Celtics roster.