Isaiah Thomas, Kendrick Perkins, and Stephen A. Smith debate over Jaylen Brown being marketable
Stephen A. Smith and Kendrick Perkins discussed whether or not Jaylen Brown is marketable on an episode of ESPN's First Take, but the entire conversation isn't what Detroit Pistons legend Isaiah Thomas heard.
Thomas addressed the idea that Brown's ego is why he is not seen as marketable; which was floated by an unnamed "league source."
"I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to (Jaylen Brown) since he was a student at UC Berkeley, he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name (Stephen A. Smith), tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it," Thomas prefaced before saying, "Let it be known."
Perkins fired back, claiming that Thomas missed the part of the episode where he and Stephen A. discussed Brown's extensive work with the Black community.
"See the thing hate about Clips… is that (Stephen A., Jay Williams) and myself went on to praise Jaylen Brown about his leadership and especially the role he plays in the Black Community," Perkins tweeted.
Stephen A. sounded bothered by the whole ordeal and assured Thomas that he's never uttered a negative word about No. 7 since he entered the league in 2016.
"Thank you (Kendrick Perkins)," Smith prefaced before saying, "That’s precisely my point. Jaylen Brown has received nothing but love this way, but evidently ppl want to read into and interpret what they want. I’m not giving this anymore damn time. I’ve been doing for 12 years. I haven’t uttered a negative syllable about JB. If that isn’t good enough, Oh Well. I’m out. I’m enjoying my Sunday. As Perk would say: Carry The Hell On!"
Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics on precipice of second Finals appearance in three years
After a thrilling comeback in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics are now on the precipice of their second Finals appearance in the last three years.
And we're talking about Brown's marketability...why?
Of course, anyone who follows ESPN knows that the business of basketball is far more important than the results, That was more of a rhetorical question than anything, but, you know, dramatic effect and all.
But yeah, petty beef aside, Brown has had a series befitting a star in the Eastern Conference Finals, averaging 30 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game through the first three against the Indiana Pacers. His play deserves more of a spotlight than his marketability.
And the Celtics deserve to have ESPN paint a positive narrative for once, but hold your breath on that one.