Jaylen Brown isn't playing around.
After being snubbed for a Team USA roster spot following Kawhi Leonard's withdrawal from the 2024 Olympics and being passed over for teammate Derrick White, Brown warned Nike -- which sponsors the American squad -- that he's not afraid to escalate this issue.
"I'm not afraid of you or your resources," Brown ominously posted on X on July 11.
Brown posted three confused-face emojis on July 10 when the news that White would replace Leonard was announced.
Grant Hill, Team USA's managing director, denied that Brown's exclusion had anything to do with Nike controlling the narrative.
Grant Hill on Jaylen Brown not replacing Kawhi Leonard: “For a good portion of my career, I wore FILA. That was supposed to be a joke. We’re proud of our partners at USA Basketball. This is about putting together a team… Whatever theories might be out there, they’re just that.” pic.twitter.com/gspr3ITZv7
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 11, 2024
"You get 12 spots, and you have to build a team," Hill said. "And one of the hardest things is leaving people off the roster that I'm a fan of that I look forward to watching throughout the season, throughout the playoffs. Guys who've been, um, Finals MVPs, guys who've been a part of the program, guys who've won gold medals, guys who I respect, admire and enjoy watching. But the responsibility that I have is to put together a team and a team that complements each other, a team that fits a team that will give us the best opportunity for success.
"And, so, whatever theories that might be out there, they're just that. But that's, that's my responsibility. And it's tough. It's tough to have conversations, tell people that they're not on the team. I'm trying to win and I'm trying to put together the right pieces that fit and give us a chance to win."
Jaylen Brown not being on Team USA is a shame
Regardless of what caused Brown not to be on Team USA, the fact that No. 7 won't be representing his country during the Olympics is a shame.
After winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award for helping Boston achieve Banner 18, his absence from the American National Team is notable since three of his teammates (White, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday) will be on it.
Whatever is preventing Brown from donning the red, white, and blue will hopefully cease by the 2028 Olympics; which takes place in Los Angeles, California, a few hours down the coast from where he starred at Cal in 2015-16.