Jaylen Brown spoke in an exclusive interview with Stephen A. Smith. During the interview, Brown discussed being snubbed by Team USA this past summer. Brown noted that he hopes to play for Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but would not sign with Nike just to make that happen.
"In 2028, if I have to sign to Nike to increase my likelihood to play USA basketball, I'll pass. One, I think... Kids instead of enjoying the essence of basketball, are forced to pick a side. I look, our global game in Europe is closing the gap. I believe that we should focus on our development and youth and grassroots. I think shoe companies should have less control over the industry..."
Brown was famously not selected for Team USA this past summer ahead of the Olympics. Brown, who was coming off winning the NBA championship and being named Finals MVP with the Celtics, claimed that Nike, who are the partners of USA Basketball, played a part in his snub, owing to his own partnership with Adidas.
Brown's absence from Team USA, given that he was available and willing to play, was certainly bizarre. Very rarely has the reigning Finals MVP not been selected to represent the country when they are willing to play at the Olympics. He was coming off a solid season, where he averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
However, the last American NBA Finals MVP who played for Team USA the following summer was LeBron James at the 2012 Paris Olympics, so there has been quite some time has passed.
Brown could have been considered to replace Kawhi Leonard, who was unceremoniously withdrawn from the Team USA squad. But USA Basketball officials chose to pick Derrick White, Brown's Celtics teammate instead. It was a difficult moment for the teammates, who had to clear the air afterward.
It's clear that Brown still feels some type of way about the Team USA snub, and maintains that Nike had a role to play in it. Grant Hill, the managing director of USA Basketball, has said that Brown will be considered for the next Olympics. We will have to wait and see in four years' time if Brown continues to be ignored by USA Basketball.
Jaylen Brown Goes After Unnamed Sources
Jaylen Brown also spoke about the media discussions surrounding him, especially some narratives pushed by Stephen A. Smith. Brown went after the 'unnamed sources' that Smith and other NBA analysts tout when reporting negative news about him and accused these sources of being cowardly for not openly saying that they want to, suggesting that they remain anonymous because they are being dishonest.
"I basically wanted to say to them that I think it's cowardice. I think historically, unnamed sources have attacked some of our greats. I/we are not responsible for what they lack and design. Frankly, they can call all their buddies, pals, and friends from all over the world, all the unnamed sources and they can shove it where they got it from."
"Whether they think I'm marketable or not, I walk with God, I'm gonna be me and stand with my community in this life and the next and that's my journalistic integrity... I never had a chance to respond or defend myself [because] one: They're never gonna reveal themselves and two: The damage is already done... An unnamed source? Like, what is that?"
Jaylen Brown is well within his rights to push back on members of the media who have reported negative news about him, especially if it is inaccurate or heavily steeped in conjecture. For a player like Brown, who prides himself on his performances and professionalism on the court, stories such as the one he is referencing can be really damaging.
With this interview, out of the way, Brown will now turn his attention to tomorrow night, as he and the Boston Celtics look to kick off what they hope will be a title-defending season against the New York Knicks, where the roster will also receive their 2024 NBA championship rings and hang a historic 18th banner for the Celtics.
