Brandon Boston Jr. not only electrified the LA Clippers fanbase on Wednesday night, but he set the entire basketball community on fire.
He was asked with an extremely tall task, which was to make up for the absence of Paul George. The late-second round pick not only did it, but did it in style. As I’ve pointed out in the past, he’s a rookie who moves like a veteran star with the ball in his hands.
An all-around career night for @bboston_!
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2021
Brandon Boston Jr. sets career-highs with 27 PTS, 4 STL and 5 3PM to lead the way for the @LAClippers! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/5bPpygJo2b
His handles were put on display, and his ability to create space and hit difficult shots was certainly showcased. He had one of those games where we wonder how he waited until the 51st selection of the NBA Draft to hear his name called. Even the Clippers passed on him twice in that draft.
Former NBA Champion and current ESPN NBA Analyst Kendrick Perkins doesn’t get it either.
30 teams passed on BJ Boston! Come on now. I might need to put my name in the hat for one of these front office positions! Carry on...
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 9, 2021
LA Clippers’ rookie Brandon Boston Jr. has a die-hard fan of his in Kendrick Perkins.
What Kendrick Perkins is saying about Brandon Boston Jr. is what all LA Clippers fans have been saying all season. Not only has Boston dominated the G-League in his opportunities, but has also shined at the NBA level when given the minutes.
Boston has now played 19 or more minutes five times this year. He’s now averaging 14 points and 1.6 steals per game in those contests. He’s shot 50% from the field in those games, 47.8% from deep, and a perfect 100% from the free throw line.
He may have had a tough year at Kentucky last year, but so did everyone over there. The reality was that Boston showed us what kind of talent he had at Sierra Canyon High School, where he was the No. 1 shooting guard recruit in the country (247Sports).
Many teams ignored that reality, however, and didn’t give the talent a chance. The Clippers took the chance to trade back into the draft to take him, and clearly made the right choice.
Going nine of 13 (five of eight from three) for 27 points (as well as picking up four steals) on Wednesday night, Boston proved what he is capable of in this league. We know about George and Kawhi Leonard, but we have two other role players who are budding stars in this league. It’s not just Terance Mann who has star potential, but now we can add Boston to that list.