In the latest episode of ‘Dubs Talk’ with Monte Poole and Dalton Johnson, Celtics star Jaylen Brown finally responds to the 2024 Olympic games. After being asked about the controversial DNP situation regarding his teammate, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen assured the public that there were no hard feelings.
“I don’t have any comments right now,” said Brown. “I’m focused on the Oakland XChange, and I’m excited about that. Jayson will be fine. Jayson Tatum will be fine. We will be fine, tonight is about the Oakland XChange.”
Jaylen Brown was asked about Jayson Tatum's Olympic DNP situation at an event about his new nonprofit:
"I don't have any comments right now… I'm focused on the Oakland XChange, and I'm excited about that. Jayson will be fine. Jayson Tatum will be fine."
(Via @NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/Sg0ukbdyxd
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) August 20, 2024
Brown’s priority at the time was on the event itself, which was centered around Jaylen’s non-profit organization in Oakland, California. Still, with so much controversy surrounding the Olympic Games, people were dying to know what Jaylen Brown was thinking.
The 27-year-old swingman is fresh off an impressive playoff run with the Celtics. He and his co-star, Jayson Tatum, led the Celtics to the best record in the league before cruising to the Finals to win the NBA championship. For his efforts on both ends of the court, Brown was named both the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and the NBA Finals MVP. He averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in the regular season.
So when Jaylen was left off the Team USA roster this summer, it became a huge story in the basketball world. Despite three of his Celtics teammates getting a formal invitation to the team, Brown was completely left off — even after Kawhi Leonard dropped out and needed a replacement.
Jaylen initially blamed Nike for his exclusion and suggested on social media that the iconic athletic brand was keeping him from the Olympics because of his affiliation with Adidas. Brown is currently unsigned to a shoe deal, but his past criticism of Nike has seemingly made him an enemy of the company.
Whatever the reasoning, Jaylen Brown had no choice but to sit back and watch as the USA competed for the gold this summer. Of course, he wasn’t the only Celtics player who felt slighted by Team USA.
While Jayson Tatum was one of the earliest players to be confirmed for the roster, he was at the end of the rotation. Despite his status as the reigning NBA champion, Tatum’s minutes were given up in favor of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who were co-leading the US.
Tatum’s limited playing time became a massive story of the Olympics and many voices spoke out against it by calling the decision “disrespectful” toward one of the game’s top wing players. Tatum tried his best to play through the situation but he couldn’t help but admit his disappointment after it was all said and done.
As the Celtics move on to prepare for next season, they will no doubt be keeping their experience this summer at the forefront of their minds. To be treated like a pair of rookies after winning the championship is far from ideal for this Celtics duo and it seems they still have some statements to make before they can get the respect they deserve.
Next season, with their roster fully intact, the Celtics intend to defend their championship victory, and Tatum and Brown will be leading the show as two of the best in the league at their position. If anything, being overlooked by Team USA could give the Celtics duo an extra edge during the season and help them further establish their team as the best in the league.
