Could the NBA’s new in-season tournament (IST) courts be less dangerous than star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown fears?

According to current Heavy’s Steve Bulpett reporting, Brown, who went on record to express his concerns about the safety of the new courts after a slide in a game against the Toronto Raptors damaged his groin, may be misinformed about the IST courts being the problem.

“It’s not uncommon for players to slip,” an unidentified league source stated. “Usually it’s a wet spot from sweat or their sneaker’s bottom doesn’t grip right in some position.”

“When it’s a new court or a refinished court at the start of the season, the complaint we most often get is that it’s too sticky,” he said.

“The IST courts probably look slippery because the paint job is shiny, so any slipping can be blamed on that,” the anonymous league source explained.

Perhaps that is the case, but given his own experience, one can’t begrudge Brown — a Player’s Association vice president — for speaking up.