NBA athletes were once told to: “Shut up and dribble.”

In the case of Jaylen Brown, we have another suggestion: “Keep talking, but please don’t dribble.”

Brown signed the biggest contract in NBA history the other day. His super-max extension is worth $303,734,893 over five years.

The potential pre-shelter tax liability: $146,623,524.22. Give or take a few greenbacks.

Of that, about $12,087,684.42 will be absorbed courtesy of the state’s new millionaire tax.

This just in, Gov. Maura Healey has adopted Lucky.

With his impending pre-tax wealth, Brown eagerly wants to change Boston’s economic ecosystem, and shrink the wealth gap that exists in the city between Black and white households.

Good for him. It’s his money – and Maura’s.

The first question at his press conference on Wednesday was what we in the journalism business call a “softball.” Or in this case, a 3-1 hanging curveball from the late, great Corey Kluber.

It was the sort of inquiry I would have proffered to Tom and Gisele during the “OBF Hot Tub Happy Hour.”

“What do you plan to do with the generational wealth on and off the court with this new contract?”

Brown’s well-rehearsed answer should catapult him into being the betting favorite to be the next major of Boston.

“I want to launch a project to bring Black Wall Street here to Boston. I want to attack the wealth disparity here. I think there’s analytics that supports that stimulating the wealth gap could actually be something that could be betterment for the entire economy,” he said.

JB 2025!

“With the biggest financial deal in NBA history, it makes sense to talk about: 1) Your investment in community; but 2) also the wealth disparity here (in Boston) that nobody wants to talk about. It’s top five in the U.S., it’s something that we can all improve on. It’s unsettling. And I think through my platform, through influential partners, through selected leaders, government officials a lot who are in this room, that we can come together and create new jobs, new resources, new businesses, new ideas, that could you know, highlight minorities but also stimulate the economy and the wealth gap at the same time,” he said.

He would mention “wealth disparity” and “Black Wall Street” again in this answer.

Applause.

Brown wisely wants to direct as much of his money toward the things he believes in, instead of paying it in taxes. (See: Bill Gates.) For instance, imagine how much $12,087,684.42 could help in building Black Wall Street, as opposed to being sucked into another Beacon Hill rathole.

Brown’s work and life off the court was the desired storyline. The signing ceremony was held on the MIT campus amid his cheering Bridge campers. Brown said he got the call securing the largest contract in NBA history while participating in a robotics workshop.

Much attention has been focused on Brown’s ideals.

Deservedly so.

For him, the money is simply a means to a much greater end. It means “resources to put stuff together. To build things. To change things. To have influence.”

Brown feels pressure – but it’s to build something “inspirational.”

The “Face of Boston Sports” moniker is Brown’s if he wants it.

Merci, Bergy.

There were two words of substance that Brown did not say Wednesday. They were uttered, almost apologetically, by Wyc Grousbeck.

“Banner 18.”

Brown alluded to “winning” but never said the word “championship” during his press conference.

You see, Brown was all business.

Of course, basketball is also his business.

For $303.7 million, it would have been nice for Brown to discuss the Celtics’ desire for a second NBA title since the Reagan Administration.

Especially given the non-stop narrative and agenda pushed by the franchise.

And Brown’s disaster that was Game 7 against Miami:

3PT: 1-for-9

FG: 8-for-23

Plus/Minus: -17

Turnovers: 8

Brown played his first game with the Celtics two days after turning 20. That he’s steadily improved since is not revolutionary. At 26, he’s yet to reach his projected athletic peak. Yet, he backslid during the postseason this spring compared to last.

Brown’s salary will be $52,368,085 when his deal begins in 2024-25.

It will hit $69,125,872 by Year 5 in 2028-29.

Perspective Alert.

In 2007-08, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce earned $34,735,094. That equals $49,223,604.85 in 2023 dollars.

A bargain at any price.

Brown was introduced by – among others – Olympian and social justice advocate John Carlos. Nods to Bill Russell were peppered throughout.

Russell wrecked his opponents mentally and physically.

Russell’s Second Law of Basketball: “You got to have the killer instinct. If you do not have it, forget about basketball, and go into social psychology or something.”

Care to guess what’s been lacking in the Celtics DNA lately?

Eleven rings in 13 years, a 1956 Olympic gold medal, and those back-to-back NCAA championships at the University of San Francisco made Russell impossible to ignore.

Winning on the court gave Russell the platform to leave his greatest impact off it.

Tommie Smith and Carlos raised their gloved Black Power salute from the podium during the 1968 Olympics. It remains a seminal moment in sports history. Smith won gold. Carlos took bronze. Their iconic protest rattled the wide, wide world of sports in a year when pretty much everything else went to hell.

Brown has yet to win a title. Timing allowed him to avoid the obstacles faced by Russell, Smith and Carlos.

Brown went straight past “Go” and collected his dough. He’ll undoubtedly make Boston a better place for it.

Winning a championship or two along the way wouldn’t hurt, either.

Bill Speros (@RealOBF and @BillSperos) can be reached at bsperos1@gmail.com