Jaylen Brown found himself in familiar circumstances when the Boston Celtics faced off against the Charlotte Hornets in early November, streaking down the court against a retreating defense with the ball in his hands. Throughout the first three years of his career, Brown has developed a reputation as a threat to hammer home monster dunks on top of backpedaling foes.
But on this particular evening, Brown opted not for a face-melting posterization. Instead, he slowed his pace just enough to catch Bismack Biyombo - the only impediment between him and the rim - off balance, slithered toward the basket with two obscenely bouncy steps, and placed the ball delicately off the backboard for a pair of easy points.