USA Basketball’s decision to name Derrick White as Kawhi Leonard’s replacement triggered a few tweets from Jaylen Brown that hinted at his unhappiness with the snub. Thereafter, scores of fans and ex-players went to bat for the reigning NBA Finals MVP, sympathizing with him getting passed over.
During the ESPY red carpet event, the Celtics star was asked about the outpouring of support he had received.
“It’s great to have support, and one day I’ll share my story,” Brown told Sports Illustrated. “People don’t have all the information in the world that they would like to know.”
In an earlier interview with former NFL MVP Cam Newton, Brown said, “No comment,” when asked about the slight hurting his feelings.
Brown’s omission from the Paris-bound team became a hot-button issue when he sent a cryptic tweet directed at Nike, Team USA’s sponsor. The tweet led to former NBA player Enes Freedom and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith floating conspiracy theories about Nike being directly responsible for Brown’s absence from the Olympic squad.
Jaylen Brown talks about the support he’s received from NBA fans who think he should be on Team USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2YLN770xE8
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 12, 2024
The issue became so controversial that even Jayson Tatum was bombarded with questions about the situation before a Team USA exhibition game. Tatum was seemingly uncomfortable answering the question.
Besides Tatum and White, Jrue Holiday is the third Celtic not named Brown to represent Team USA at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The country’s pursuit for a fifth consecutive gold medal begins July 28 against Nikola Jokic’s Serbia.
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