Across the NBA, the off-season is winding down, and teams are beginning to shift their focus to the upcoming season. Recently, Mavericks players organized a team run in Los Angeles, the Spurs did the same in Texas, and several other teams are following suit. Players are getting back into shape for training camp, showcasing the improvements they’ve made over the summer, and re-familiarizing themselves with the intensity of competing alongside fellow NBA players.

Jaylen Brown is fully prepared for what lies ahead. He’s excited and eager to help the Celtics defend their title, but he recognizes that this time around, they’ll be the team everyone is gunning for, as he shared with Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.

“Last year is behind us, to be honest. We celebrated, and it was great. It’s been an awesome summer. I’ve had a fantastic summer, by the way. But that’s done. Now we have the target on our backs. Everybody’s coming after us, and I’m like, ‘bring it on.’ It’s time to get back to work, and I’m excited for next season.”

While many championship teams face the challenge of avoiding complacency, Brown and his fellow star, Jayson Tatum, might not have to worry about that, thanks to Steve Kerr and USA Basketball. Most champions lose a bit of their edge after winning it all, but this summer, Kerr benched Tatum during key Paris Olympics games against Serbia (and limited his minutes in other games), and USA Basketball passed over Brown as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard, opting instead for another Celtic, Derrick White. This has reignited the competitive fire in Boston’s two top players, ensuring they return with something to prove.

However, Boston could face a slow start to the season with center Kristaps Porzingis out until December following surgery to repair a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon (which also sidelined him during some NBA Finals games).

Despite this, Boston remains the team to beat as the season approaches, and Brown is ready to get back to work.