Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has never been a fan of tanking—and heading into the 2025-26 NBA season, his stance remains as strong as ever.

The Celtics entered the season facing a major challenge: star forward Jayson Tatum was sidelined with an Achilles injury, missing over 60 games. Many expected Boston to take a step back and embrace a "rebuild year," hoping for a high lottery pick. But the Green Team had other plans.

Led by Brown and head coach Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics refused to wave the white flag. Instead, they played with grit and determination, finishing with an impressive 56-26 record and securing second place in the Eastern Conference. It was a statement season that silenced the doubters.

"Even a lot of Celtics fans were pro-tanking," Brown recalled during a Twitch stream in April. "It is what it is. You forgive, but you never really forget."

Brown doubled down on his anti-tanking message during the "State of the Game" video series, a roundtable discussion on the current state of the NBA. When asked about the practice, he didn't hold back.

"You're asking me about tanking: I don't see it in my future, or I don't want to be a part of it," Brown told his peers. "But it's a crazy league, so I wouldn't be surprised if I have to deal with something like that one day."

As one of the vice presidents of the NBA Players Association, Brown has been actively involved in discussions about tanking and its impact on the league. He's even talked shop with Celtics executive and basketball strategist Mike Zarren, exploring potential solutions to the issue.

For Brown, competing at the highest level isn't just about winning—it's about integrity, pride, and never settling for less. And that's a mindset any athlete—or fan—can get behind.