Every season brings its fair share of struggles and breakdowns for NBA players, both physically and mentally. The solution? A gateway—something that offers the mind a much-needed escape, a recharge in layman’s terms, so they can pick up right where they left off. And Jaylen Brown is no exception. After the intense championship run last season, the Celtics star found himself mentally drained, searching for peace. But it wasn’t easy to find. To get it, he had to travel 6,420 miles from Boston in the previous offseason.

Well, it wasn’t a typical trip to Europe. Instead, Brown traveled all the way to West Asia, choosing the island country of Bahrain for his vacation. Must say, the man certainly has a unique taste when it comes to destinations. But why Bahrain? He revealed the reason behind his choice in an exclusive interview with Andscape.

“I went there just for privacy, peace of mind,” Brown said. Justifying his choice, the 28-year-old added, “Just also to learn about different places in the world, just exploring, making relationships with their foundations, exploring relationships through the game. You can help develop other areas.”

The healthier the mind, the sharper the focus. For Jaylen Brown, that mental clarity was exactly what he needed. And what’s better than exploring a new place, making new bonds, and seeing a completely different part of the world?

“I had never been there before. It’s like a small island, not too far off the coast of the UAE, not too far from Dubai and Qatar. I just enjoyed it,” Brown shared about his experience. “I spent the summer away outside of the U.S. Different experience for me. It kind of opens your eyes to different parts of the world.” He returned not only with a refreshed mind but also with a deeper understanding of the culture in the Middle Eastern country, their way of life, and a new perspective.

So far, the refreshed mind has been working wonders for him. But, of course, not every day can be perfect. A tough patch with the Knicks brought out an emotional side of Brown.

Jaylen Brown shows emotional side after tough performance against Knicks

Though the Celtics clinched the victory with a 118-105 win on Saturday, Jaylen Brown confessed that his 24-8-2 stat line wasn’t his best day. Sure, we’ve seen stronger numbers from the swingman, but he didn’t hesitate to criticize his own play.

“Tough start, you know, to the game,” Brown told the media in the postgame conference. “Early game, getting the body going, I didn’t feel my best today, and stuff like that. Been balancing, juggling a lot. But in the second half, I was able to, you know, make some plays even when I wasn’t really feeling my best today. So, just maneuvering through the journey is normal. We just got to be ready each and every night.”

Even though it wasn’t his night, the Celtics rallied around him, compensating for his rough day. And JB couldn’t have been more proud.

Jaylen Brown has had to adjust to a new role this season, with rumors suggesting he wasn’t fully satisfied with the change. Despite that, it hasn’t really affected his performance or stats. But at the end of the day, everything boils down to mental peace. Maintaining that balance is crucial for keeping up the strength on the hardwood.

He’s averaging 22.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists this season. Considering the kind of player Brown is, it’s safe to say he can bounce back anytime and rack up big numbers when needed. With that being said, do you think Brown can lead the Boston Celtics to another championship finals before taking off for his next adventure into the unknown? Share your thoughts with us!