"Do I need to reveal my sources now?": Stephen A. Smith reacts to Jaylen Brown's Team USA snub
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith added ember to his ongoing beef with Boston Celtics All-Star wingman Jaylen Brown after the latter was not chosen as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard, who had to withdraw from Team USA's Paris Olympics campaign over health concerns.
Brown, a newly minted NBA champion and Finals most valuable player, was seemingly unhappy with the snub as Celtics teammate Derrick White replaced Leonard.
The three-time All-Star shared his thoughts on the development with a series of cryptic posts on social media.
Smith, who got the ire of Jaylen Brown during the height of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks for taking a dig at his marketability, took the opportunity to highlight his point on the issue of the Boston star's bankability.
He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter:
"Do y'all believe me now? Yo @FCHWPO, do I need to reveal my sources now? Is it not obvious now? How in the hell is a $300M man -- now a champion and an NBA Finals MVP -- who's clearly a top-two player on the @celtics and a Top-15 player in the world, NOT chosen for Team-USA? B/c his teammate NOT named Tatum is selected before him? Come on y'all!!!"
During the NBA Finals, Smith disclosed that "anonymous sources" told him that Jaylen Brown's "attitude" is hurting his overall marketability. While he has been a solid player, the analyst said the NBA does not see him as marketable like his Celtics running mate Tatum.
Once he got wind of what Smith said, Brown responded on X, saying:
"State your source"
Jaylen Brown also wore a shirt with the same words printed on the front during their championship parade in Boston.
NBA insider sees Jaylen Brown's Olympic snub further motivating him
Jaylen Brown had one of his best seasons in the NBA that culminated in him winning his first-ever league championship. But things could only get better for him moving forward as Team USA's decision to not include him in the Paris Olympics team could serve as motivation.
Boston area NBA insider Chris Forsberg pointed this out with NBC Sports, highlighting the "snub" should only move the All-Star wing to further prove his worth, saying:
"I think that Celtics brass are probably frustrated that Jaylen didn't get this nod. They understand how much effort he's put in, how much he meant to this title, and he should be rewarded by being part of this Paris group.
"Just when you start thinking like, 'Alright, maybe things are all going his way,' he finds this little extra prod of motivation that is gonna fuel him throughout this summer."
A spot opened for Team USA after Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers withdrew over health concerns. However, Celtics' Derrick White was tapped as a replacement instead of teammate Brown.