The question was about dunks, but Jaylen Brown wanted to talk about defense.

On Friday night, he had numerous slams that energized the TD Garden crowd during a 128-111 victory over the Magic.

His biggest play of the game occurred with 4:32 left in the second quarter, when Derrick White fed him the ball right above the block. Brown grabbed the pass, composed himself, and vaulted for a poster-worthy one-handed slam over Orlando’s Anthony Black in one move.

However, following the game, Brown focused on his defense rather than the dunks. He took the podium during the news conference to request an award that has eluded him throughout his eight-year NBA career: a spot on the NBA’s All-Defensive team.

“I also had a few steals and a couple blocks.” “I’m going to have to start running my own campaign for First-Team All-Defense,” Brown explained. “But, nah, it’s fine.” I’m completely focused on both sides of the ball. I’m really feeling at ease and like I’m flourishing, making plays at the rim, taking the ball away from people, doing my job, and doing more on the defensive side whether people want to see it or not.”

Brown has appeared in two All-Star games. He has appeared in the NBA Finals. Over the summer, he signed the richest contract in NBA history, a 5-year, $304 million Supermax agreement.

But he seemed to be desperate this year to be acknowledged for his defense. He’s mentioned it for the second night in a row.

“I feel like I’m playing some of the best defense of my career,” Brown remarked on Thursday. “I told myself before the season that I wanted to be First-Team All-Defensive.” “I feel like I’ve lived up to that.”

The Celtics have three All-Defensive players on their roster: Derrick White, Jrue Holliday, and Al Horford. Last year, the Celtics selected Robert Williams III, who was acquired in the deal that brought Holliday to Boston.

Brown has earned an All-Defensive pick for the Celtics in five of his eight seasons with the organization. The majority of those came from Marcus Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Smart was named All-Defensive in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Al Horford made an All-Defensive team in 2018, and White did the same the year before.

Brown is tied for 36th in the league in steals (1.2 per game) with a little more than a quarter of the season remaining. He’s averaging 0.7 blocks per game. In defensive win shares, he ranks second on the club and 18th in the league.

The Celtics rank first in defensive rating, defensive rebounding, opponent points off turnovers, opponent points off fast breaks, and opponent points in the paint. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA, standing at 19-5.

Is Brown’s claim legitimate? It is up to the voters to decide.

More than just statistics influence the vote. What types of matchups does a player face? Are they making plays that aren’t reflected in the stats? How does their role affect the success of their team?

Any prize awarded by popular voting carries some degree of subjectivity. And the Celtics’ record, as well as Brown’s standing as one of the greatest players on one of the league’s finest defensive teams, could assist.

There is still a lot of basketball to be played before the award is given.

But one thing is certain. Brown wants to make the All-Defensive team and isn’t scared to make his case.