"The damage is done" - Jaylen Brown calls Stephen A. Smith's source 'coward' while discussing 'state your source' controversy

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown had to get some things off his chest during his live interview with ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Monday. Brown used his guest appearance on "The Stephen A. Smith Show" as an opportunity to lash out at the host's anonymous source.

During the Celtics' 2024 playoff run, Smith made headlines as he read a text from an unnamed source during an episode of ESPN's First Take. According to the source, there are a few people who don't like Brown and claim the star has a big ego. The source said that the star forward isn't marketable because of it.

On the Oct. 21 episode of Smith's show, Brown addressed the controversy and called out the unnamed source. (Start at 7:12)

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"I wanted to send a message through you to them. Cause you're the only person who knows their source is," Brown said. "I basically wanted to say to them, that I think it's cowardice. I think, historically, unnamed sources have attacked some of our greats and I/we are not responsible for what they lack in design." (7:10)

Brown also took issue with being called "arrogant" and said the line got crossed between critiquing on-court performance and attacking one's character.

"I think journalistic integrity requires it to go both ways. I never had the chance to respond or defend myself. One, because they're never going to reveal themeslves. Two, the damage is already done. So, when I'm speaking to is the unnamed source."

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Brown appeared on the show with a shirt that said, "State Your Source." Those were the words that the Celtics star demanded of Smith when it was first brought up in May. At the end of the show, the forward gifted the famed journalist with the same shirt and posed together for a photo.

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Jaylen Brown on Boston renaming a bridge after the late Celtics legend

The North Washington Street Bridge was renamed after Celtics legend Bill Russell on Monday. The City of Boston held the ceremony, which Jaylen Brown attended. The bridge is now named "William Felton 'Bill' Russell Bridge".

The 2024 Finals MVP shared that because of how the legend brought people together through his activism, it's "very fitting" for the city to name the bridge after Russell.

Russell became an icon for the Celtics as he won 11 championships as a player in 13 seasons. The big man was a significant influence to the community as a Civil Rights hero, who constantly fought for social justice.

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