Celtics star Jaylen Brown is stirring the pot in the wake of his snub from Team USA. In the latest of a series of posts on X, he seemingly calls out Nike and exposes their control over Team USA.
“[@Nike] this what we’re doing,” wrote Brown. “I’m not afraid of your resources.”
Im not afraid of you or your resources
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 11, 2024
Jaylen Brown, 27, was drafted 3rd overall by the Celtics in 2016. Since his arrival, he’s become a signature part of the rotation and a valuable two-way player with averages of 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game on 49% shooting. After winning both the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the Finals MVP, Brown even made a case for being the Celtics’ best player.
Suspicion was raised when Brown was left off the Team USA roster this summer, and then again when his teammate, Derrick White, was chosen as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard. After the story broke, Brown decided to put the whole process on blast by exposing the hidden power behind it all: Nike.
It is true that Nike does have a heavy presence in the NBA with LeBron James and Michael Jordan, among others. This year, the roster includes 13 Nike athletes, such as Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Tyrese Haliburton, LeBron James, and Jayson Tatum. That accounts for over half the roster.
Even so, there are a few of them who are the face of other brands. Stephen Curry earned a spot despite being with Under Armour, and Anthony Edwards with Adidas. Of course, there could be some other hidden agenda that prevents Brown from being on the team… but most fans agree that it may not rooted solely in basketball.
Neither Nike nor Team USA has responded to Jaylen’s claims, but fans couldn’t help but point out his prior criticism of Nike, when he called them unethical.
Jaylen Brown was the @NBA Finals MVP.
The reason Jaylen didn’t get selected for the U.S. National team is because of his criticism of @Nike.
Corrupt #Nike operates like a mafia.
If you go against their agenda, they will find a way to silence you.
Also, everyone knows that Nike… https://t.co/vQsOmxzyR6 pic.twitter.com/LkoU9uSVbH
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) July 10, 2024
Brown has offered no proof of his accusations but it hasn’t stopped the fans from coming up with all kinds of theories implicating Nike in some grand conspiracy to silence their critics. Besides a history with Adidas, Jaylen himself remains unsigned and his opposition to Nike is well noted.
Whether the legendary check mark was involved or not, Grant Hill and Team USA just felt that Brown wasn’t up to the task and after careful evaluation, they picked someone who was a better fit for their needs at the time. However you feel about Derrick White, his role was indispensable for the Celtics last season. Now that Team USA is 1-0 right now, that decision is looking good, and Jaylen Brown will have to keep working to prove his worth and force his inclusion in the next Olympics.
After revealing himself as a true star for the Celtics, and a champion, Brown feels like he has nothing left to prove, and his teammate, Jayson Tatum, likely feels the same way.
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