The Boston Celtics remain directly in the spotlight even a month after winning the NBA title.
It’s mainly due to the drama surrounding Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who was frustrated about being left off Team USA for the upcoming Olympics Games and discussed his feelings about it earlier this week.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens couldn’t run from the topic, either. He diplomatically addressed the situation involving Brown during a Celtics Summer League game Wednesday in Las Vegas.
“Jaylen’s a great player. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Jaylen could be on any team, could be on any Olympic team in any year,” Stevens told reporters, per CLNS Media. “But at the end of the day, I think his approach, he talked about how he called Derrick (White), he talked about his own feelings from it. I know this about Jaylen, whether he has success, or he gets all the accolades, like Finals MVP or Eastern Conference finals MVP, or if he feels like he got left off the team, I know he’s going to be motivated and hungry regardless. That’s what I’ve always loved about him. He always comes back to work.”
Brown caused quite the stir last week when his Celtics teammate was chosen as the replacement for the injured Kawhi Leonard on Team USA. Brown said the reason he didn’t get the spot was due to Nike. Brown has been critical in the past of the company, which is also a close partner with USA basketball.
As Stevens pointed out, there could be a benefit to come out of this for Brown and the Celtics. Brown could be highly determined to prove a point next season even after winning Eastern Conference finals MVP and Finals MVP honors.
Brown, who averaged 23 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists during the 2023-24 campaign, felt slighted this past season when was wasn’t named to any of three All-NBA teams and also didn’t get an All-Defensive nod.
And the situation involving Team USA should refuel Brown’s revenge tank as he looks to lead the Celtics in their title defense.
