Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, who previously wore Adidas, blasts Nike for not being called up by USA Basketball to replace the injured Kawhi Leonard.
The U.S. basketball team, widely regarded as the top contender for Olympic gold, is facing more than just competition on the court.
While their dominance in the upcoming Paris Games is hardly questioned, recent preparation matches have shown some vulnerabilities, highlighted by a narrow 92-98 loss to Australia. Amidst this, the team’s roster decisions have stirred significant controversy.
Kawhi Leonard’s departure from the training camp due to ongoing knee issues prompted USA Basketball to bring in Derrick White, the Celtics forward, as his replacement.
This decision has raised eyebrows, particularly given the availability and eagerness of Jaylen Brown, the NBA Finals MVP from the same team. Brown’s exclusion has left many questioning the rationale behind the roster choices, adding to the growing tension surrounding the U.S. squad’s Olympic journey.
Direct accusation to the sports brand
Jaylen Brown did not take kindly to being overlooked by the U.S. Federation and pointed fingers at Nike for his alleged exclusion. The sports brand has a significant agreement with USA Basketball, outfitting all its teams from senior to training categories. Brown, who wore Adidas until three years ago, suggested that this affiliation was the reason for his snub from the Dream Team. He expressed his frustration on social media, posting, “Nike, is this what we are doing?” in a direct message to the multinational company.
The tensions between Jaylen Brown and Nike are not new, dating back to 2022 when the brand severed ties with Kyrie Irving. Nike accused Irving of spreading anti-Semitic and hateful messages, leading to the termination of their relationship.
Phil Knight, the owner of the multinational, defended the decision on social media, stating, “Kyrie crossed the line. It’s as simple as that. He made statements that we can’t accept, and that’s why we ended the relationship. I agreed with that decision.” This past conflict has resurfaced, fueling speculation about Brown’s exclusion from the U.S. Olympic team.
He called Derrick White to avoid “confusion”
Jaylen Brown, feeling it was an injustice that he wasn’t selected, unintentionally criticized his teammate Derrick White’s call-up to replace Kawhi Leonard. Realizing this, Brown promptly reached out to apologize.
“I called Derrick right away,” Brown told reporters during the Celtics’ summer league game on Monday. “I wanted to ensure there was no confusion and to show him my love and support. He understood, and there are no hard feelings. You don’t always have to make everything public. D-White and I are fine,” he confessed.
