In Netflix’s newest season of “Starting 5”, Jaylen Brown showed his love for boxing and jokingly challenged Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to a duel in the ring. The quip came in a moment of jest, but it does point to the historic rivalry between the two and the respect that Brown and other players have for Giannis. Both players may have their fair share of frustrations this season that can be taken out in the boxing ring.
“Some good money in boxing. Me vs. Draymond Green or something, Giannis.” 😂
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) October 27, 2025
Jaylen Brown spoke about his love for combat sports and the impact that training with his grandfather had on him growing up ❤️🥊
Starting 5 Season 2 is now playing only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/TRKxDxtTLm
Brown and Giannis are in for tough seasons
Jaylen Brown and Giannis are actually in similar situations this season. Both lost an All-Star teammate in last season’s playoffs, which has put their teams in a retooling year. Brown is now asked to be the leading scorer of the Celtics and carry a large burden that he typically shares with Jayson Tatum.
And Giannis will be asked to carry an even bigger workload on both sides of the ball. Although his supporting cast is on the rise, Giannis is still the driving force of the Bucks’ success. His absurd averages of 36 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists per game prove that he’s ready and able to bear that burden.
But there will inevitably be some frustrating moments for both Giannis and Brown. Both have already had dominant 40-point games in losses to Eastern Conference foes - Giannis against the Cavs and Brown against the Pistons. Even with all their best efforts, these stars will find themselves up against too much talent on opposing teams throughout the season.
Brown has been a great player for years, but he’s never had a season in his career without an All-Star teammate. This season, for the first time, he will have to carry a team the way that true superstars like Giannis do. Giannis has had All-Star teammates in the past, but it’s always been clear that he’s unquestionably the top dog on his team. Brown cannot relate and has been overshadowed in his career by Jayson Tatum, even when Brown won Finals MVP.
After this season, Brown might actually want to let out some pent-up anger with boxing challenges. It’s no surprise that he chose to single out Giannis, who has clashed with the Celtics for Eastern Conference primacy many times over the years. Brown has also had a somewhat one-sided personal rivalry with Giannis that the Greek Freak has never seriously reciprocated.
Jaylen Brown originally made his joking boxing challenge to Giannis last season, but it could become more relevant this season. Brown is now on a level playing field with Giannis without his All-NBA teammate. Any time the Celtics and Bucks match up, it will feel like a personal showdown between Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the two stars prop up their teams.