Team USA’s decision to go for Derrick White and not Finals MVP Jaylen Brown left a lot of NBA fans confused. Among those who wondered why the Boston Celtics star was left off was Carmelo Anthony.
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, expressed his belief that Nike’s influence may have contributed to his exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team. Brown, who is not a Nike-sponsored athlete, said he “wasn’t surprised” by the decision, but he believes the company’s involvement with USA Basketball played a role.
Derrick White, his teammate in Boston, was selected to replace the injured Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic roster. While Brown was happy for him, he suggested that his non-association with Nike may have been a factor in the decision.
The Celtics star has been critical of Nike in the past, particularly in response to the company’s handling of Kyrie Irving’s endorsement deal. He has also expressed concerns about the company’s ethics.
Despite his disappointment, Brown said he called White immediately to ensure there was no confusion and that they remain on good terms. He is now focused on the Celtics’ upcoming season, determined to build on their 2024 championship success.
Carmelo Anthony Drops Opinion on Jaylen Brown’s Team USA Snub
After the 2024 Finals MVP was left off Team USA, various takes were given by NBA stars, fans, and critics. Among them was former NBA scorer Carmelo Anthony, as seen in an episode of Podcast P with Paul George.
“I think he should have got a shot. I think Paul [George] should have got a shot. That’s just, it is what it is. You can’t, for whatever reason it is, you can’t make it that obvious for whatever reason it is. This man bust his ass. He worked hard. He take everything that people say about him.
He’s not marketable, he’s not this, he’s not that. He going to win the championship and do it the way he did it, right? How he don’t get his shot at the USA team. You want to tell me he don’t fit the style of play? So if it’s political and I don’t like using that word, that term political, but if it’s something of that nature that we don’t understand, have a conversation with the man.
At least give him the respect like ‘Yo, you a champion, you won, you played on this team before. You are a part of team USA, we have history with you.’ So it’s like if it’s something that’s personal, they don’t like it’s aura, they don’t the way he think, they don’t like the way he rock out, give him the opportunity and say you know what, we’re not going to go with you. Here’s why we’re not going to go with you,” Anthony said.
Over the course of last season, Brown averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Those numbers went up to 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during Boston’s playoff run a couple of months ago.
Even though Brown was snubbed from the Olympics, it can’t be denied how immense of a talent he is. With Anthony backing him up, it’s only a matter of time before the Boston star gets what’s due of him in time.
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