Jaylen Brown is not worried about his rejection of the All-NBA nomination: “I don’t have time, [expletive]”

BOSTON — One night, after was excluded from the All-NBA team for the second year in a rowJaylen Brown made his mark by leading the Celtics to a Game 2 victory over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

One of the NBA's most underrated stars was on top form all night at TD Garden, showing off all his tricks and scoring 40 points in Boston's 126-110 victory. He was the best player on the court in Game 2 and was Boston's best player for much of the playoffs.

Was Brown motivated by the rejection of the All-NBA honor as he reached his playoff high to date on Thursday night?

“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Brown casually commented on Boston’s victory.

When pressed further, Brown clarified that exclusion from the All-NBA teams does not play a role for him at this time.

“We are two games away from the final. To be honest, I don't have time [fudge],” said Brown. (Only he didn't say 'fudge.')

The only thing Brown cares about right now is winning, and he's contributed a lot to the Celtics' 10-2 record this postseason.

“He's got it,” Boston point guard Jrue Holiday said of Brown. “You see what I see. Great player, great leader and he wants to win. I love it. … The way JB plays is outstanding.”

Brown kept the Celtics alive in Game 1 with his game-winning three-pointer to tie the game with 5.7 seconds left. He carried that magic into Game 2, attacking the basket and keeping the Pacers at bay. And he continues to play excellent defense, another aspect of his game that was overlooked by the league when he also failed to make any of the All-Defensive teams.

Brown says he doesn't care about those accolades, but his head coach believes he does care. At least in a way that motivates him even more on the court.

“I think he cares in a way that motivates him, but he doesn't care at all,” Joe Mazzulla said of Brown. “He understands that winning is the most important thing. He has an innate ability to just get better and work hard. He has incredible confidence. He's also not afraid to work on things that he knows he needs to get better at.”

“He just takes care of the right things,” Mazzulla added. “I think things like that motivate him, but he just wants to get better. I really enjoy coaching him and watching him work.”

Celtics fans have enjoyed watching Brown at work throughout his eight-year career, and his passion and ambition are evident every time he touches the ball or holds someone down on defense. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old – who is playing in his sixth Eastern Conference Finals – having his abilities underestimated by others is nothing new.

Even Celtics fans have been guilty of this, booing Brown's selection at a draft party at TD Garden in 2016. While that reaction had more to do with Danny Ainge selecting him rather than an established star, it wasn't the best start to a professional career for Brown.

But like every All-Star, All-Defensive and All-NBA winner along the way, Brown buried it deep and used it as fuel to improve his game. He's done that every single season of his career, working hard in the offseason to refine the good parts and improve the areas that needed to be better. He always comes back with a new trick in his bag, whether it's a new offensive move that gets him to the basket or a defensive trick that helps him pin the opposing team's best player.

“I see guys being praised and anointed that I think are half as talented as me on both sides of the ball. At this point, I embrace it,” Brown said Thursday. “It's part of who I am and what I stand for, and I'm not going to change that. I'm grateful to step out there every night and do my best. Whether people appreciate it or not, it is what it is.”

That's just the way Jaylen Brown is. Good enough is never good enough for him and he will do whatever it takes to win basketball games for the Boston Celtics.

Eventually, Brown will get the recognition he deserves. If he continues to play like he did this postseason and brings a title to Boston, his doubters will have no choice but to recognize his greatness on the floor.