Tony Jones of The Athletic dropped a comparison on Thursday that will get Philadelphia fans thinking. He basically said Jaylen Brown landing with the Sixers could mirror what Jimmy Butler brought to the team back in 2018-19. And for a fanbase that still replays Kawhi Leonard’s bounce in their nightmares, that’s a loaded statement.
Jones argued that Brown is wired a lot like Butler was. An alpha who knows how to win, has a Finals MVP on his resume, and won’t back down from anyone in the locker room. The key difference? Brown is joining a team that already shifted toward Tyrese Maxey as its emotional leader last season. That might actually help him fit in without stepping on toes.
“Brown is as smart as a whip,” Jones wrote. “One would think he has the self-awareness to come into the locker room and blend in. If he can do that, the Sixers will benefit greatly from his competitiveness and championship pedigree.”
The Butler Era Wasn’t Long, but It Was the Best Shot
That 2018-19 team is the one that got closest. Philly took the eventual champion Raptors to seven games and came within a single lucky bounce of advancing. Had Leonard’s shot rimmed out instead of rattling in, the Sixers match up well against Milwaukee in the conference finals. They had size, defense and enough firepower to make a real run.
Butler was the heart of that team. He pushed Embiid, he competed like a maniac and he didn’t care about hurting feelings. The Sixers traded him the following summer and have been searching for that edge ever since. Now Brown walks in with a similar reputation. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season. He can guard multiple positions. He’s done it on the biggest stage.
Jones put it bluntly: “Brown knows how to win. He knows what it takes. He’s been a finals MVP and can help in that manner, even if Maxey is the leader.”
The Elephant in the Room: Embiid and Brown’s History
Here’s the thing — there hasn’t exactly been love lost between Embiid and Brown over the years. They’ve competed hard against each other, exchanged words on the floor and generally played the role of rivals. Now they’re wearing the same jersey. That dynamic is going to be one of the most watched storylines in the East next season.
But Jones sees it as a potential strength, not a problem. He compared it directly to Embiid’s relationship with Butler. Two strong personalities who respect winning more than they respect egos. If Brown can channel that competitive streak the way Butler did, the Sixers might finally have the mix they’ve been missing.
The clock is ticking on Embiid’s prime. He hasn’t won a title. Philadelphia hasn’t won one since 1983. Brown just turned 27 and has a ring. He knows the price of a deep playoff run. Whether that translates into chemistry or conflict is the question that will define this season.
But if you’re a Sixers fan, the Butler comparison is exactly the kind of hope you want to hear.
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