JB and the Olympics

[ozgod]

I would have preferred that JB get Kawhi's spot over D. White, but I understand the decision.  Team USA was going for team-building rather than picking the biggest names. 

JB apparently doesn't seem to agree that the decision was a reasonable one.  After his originally cryptic post (🧐🧐🧐) JB seemingly bought into some of the conspiracy theories floating out there, namely that him being left off the team was due to his public criticism of Nike (after they fired Kyrie).  Nike is sponsoring the team, and the conspiracy theory is that they've ensured that both Brown and Kyrie are excluded.  JB leaned into this, posting

@nike this what we doing?

https://twitter.com/FCHWPO/status/1811149549827936563

I guess my question is, why?  Why make his disappointment very public, particularly when his own teammate got the spot?  At the very least, JB is telling the world that Derrick White's spot isn't deserved.  Why not just keep the beef private?  Or, if you're going to go public, do it with a thought out post or a Player's Tribune article or something.  The semi-cryptic one-liners are what I expect from a gamey teenage girl on social media, not a VP in the Player's Association.

He's always been passive agressive in that way though, bit like KD.

[ozgod]

Tatum was asked about Jaylen's response to White taking Kawhi's spot instead of him.

Ah, no,? Tatum told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston, of if he?s talked with Brown since he was not added to Team USA?s roster.

Tatum is in a precarious spot, considering that Brown?s potential spot on Team USA was eventually handed to a fellow teammate in Derrick White.

?I mean, there?s so many guys that could take that last spot or whatever. Yeah, it is,? Tatum added when asked if it was tough to see Brown not make the U.S. Team.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2024/07/11/jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-nba-basketball-team-usa-olympics-derrick-white/?p1=hp_secondary

https://x.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1811421642783949009

[aefgogreen]

I am a little surprised he tweeted as there has been plenty of chances for drama in the past (tons of trade rumors, All NBA exclusion), and he went the Elsa route. Having said that, my guess is the tweet is aimed at Nike, not White. I wish he had said nothing, but my guess is it blows over soon.

[Roy H.]

He gave a "no comment" at the ESPYs, which is a better approach.

[Celtics2021]

I am a little surprised he tweeted as there has been plenty of chances for drama in the past (tons of trade rumors, All NBA exclusion), and he went the Elsa route. Having said that, my guess is the tweet is aimed at Nike, not White. I wish he had said nothing, but my guess is it blows over soon.

The tweet is certainly aimed at Nike.  He?s been playing all season wearing different Nikes with the swoosh removed as a part of his battle with them.

[aefgogreen]

And they may well have played into the decision

[Roy H.]

And they may well have played into the decision

I doubt it.

More likely it's due to JB's political views, which have in the past been anti-Semitic adjacent.  He's the same type of "free thinker" that Kyrie and Kanye are.  If you picked the top 10 NBA players that may say something awkward or embarrassing while representing the United States internationally, JB is probably on that list.

[SparzWizard]

Sounds like we might have a locker room problem next year with this whole Jaylen Brown drama nonsense lol

[Roy H.]

Sounds like we might have a locker room problem next year with this whole Jaylen Brown drama nonsense lol

It depends on how he continues to handle it.  It's a long time between now and training camp.

[Atzar]

Sounds like we might have a locker room problem next year with this whole Jaylen Brown drama nonsense lol

I don?t think so.  JB hasn?t exactly been tactful about this but I think it?s clear enough that he has no beef with White.  I think our locker room will be fine.

[Vermont Green]

I don't see an issue with Brown and White.  But is there going to be an issue with Brown and Tatum?  Brown and the locker room in general?  The latest is some Instagram post or repost or something where Brown agreed that Anthony Edwards is the #1 option on Team USA, which could be interpreted as a slight against Tatum.

This is all so unnecessary.  Brown has every right to be disappointed about not being asked to be on Team USA.  He should be handling this better though.  Maybe by the time preseason starts, this is so far in the rearview that nobody cares.  But there is risk that this could hurt the mojo of the team so I don't like it.

[Vermont Green]

Just to instigate conversation, here is a list of players, in no particular order, that Brown could be traded for (probably not all inclusive) based on contract alone (some of these can't be traded for a period of time).

Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Butler
Devin Booker
Pascal Siakam
Karl-Anthony Towns
Damian Lillard
Anthony Davis

Any takers?  Or is Brown better than all of these?

[Roy H.]

Just to instigate conversation, here is a list of players, in no particular order, that Brown could be traded for (probably not all inclusive) based on contract alone (some of these can't be traded for a period of time).

Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Butler
Devin Booker
Pascal Siakam
Karl-Anthony Towns
Damian Lillard
Anthony Davis

Any takers?  Or is Brown better than all of these?

Yes
No
Maybe
No
No
No
No

[Roy H.]

JB apparently responded to answer me, Edwards that Edwards wad "#1 option 💯"

People are taking this as a slight against Tatum. I think that's probably silly.

Edwards wears Adidas, which is probably the motivation.

[Moranis]

Just to instigate conversation, here is a list of players, in no particular order, that Brown could be traded for (probably not all inclusive) based on contract alone (some of these can't be traded for a period of time).

Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Butler
Devin Booker
Pascal Siakam
Karl-Anthony Towns
Damian Lillard
Anthony Davis

Any takers?  Or is Brown better than all of these?

Yes
No
Maybe
No
No
No
No

Edwards absolutely. Towns and Davis are intriguing given their size.