Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown has publicly criticized an artificial intelligence-generated ranking that listed him as the seventh-best player on his own team. The ranking, produced by an AI model, sparked a strong reaction from Brown, who took to social media to express his frustration.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on June 28, 2026, Brown wrote, 'AI hoops is crazy. Seventh best on my own team? I guess the numbers don't watch the games.' The comment came after an AI analysis ranked players based on advanced metrics, placing Brown behind teammates such as Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday.
Brown, a four-time NBA All-Star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP, has been a key contributor to the Celtics' success. In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 23.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, according to verified NBA statistics. The AI ranking did not account for his playoff performance or leadership role.
Fans and analysts have debated the validity of AI-driven player evaluations, with many arguing that such systems lack context for intangibles like clutch performance and defensive impact. Brown's response highlights ongoing skepticism about the use of AI in sports analytics.
The Celtics organization has not officially commented on the ranking. Brown is expected to address the topic further in an upcoming press conference ahead of the 2026-27 season.
