After Team USA selected Derrick White over Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, many voiced their disapproval. Critics saw the exclusion of the Boston Celtics All-Star as a significant oversight.
The conflict between Celtics star Jaylen Brown and USA Basketball intensified following his omission from the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team. Brown was initially left off the roster in April and was overlooked again when Derrick White replaced Kawhi Leonard.
Grant Hill, managing director of the U.S. men’s basketball team, justified choosing White for his defensive capabilities and point guard skills. He denied any “conspiracy theory,” asserting it was purely a basketball decision. Brown, however, challenged Hill’s use of the term, referencing his role as vice president of the NBPA and retweeting about sneaker politics at the Olympics.
This isn’t Brown’s first brush with controversy; he previously shared a post regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Thus, the tension surrounding his exclusion is likely to persist.
Recently, former NBA star Kenny Anderson tweeted his disbelief over Brown’s omission, citing Brown’s impressive statistics from last season and his Finals MVP win.
Brown’s performance in the upcoming season will be closely watched, but his snub will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion as Team USA aims for gold in Paris.
