Jayson Tatum was recently interviewed and asked to share his thoughts regarding Jaylen Brown not being chosen to represent Team USA. As most members of the NBA world should be aware, Jaylen Brown was the best player for the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals and won the Finals MVP award as a result.
Although one might assume that gives him the title of being the best player in the world, Brown was not even selected to represent Team USA. Since there always appears to be a narrative making Tatum and Brown look like rivals, one must certainly be wondering how Tatum feels over the fact that his teammate was not selected to play for Team USA.
Many fans believe Jayson Tatum had no control over Jaylen Brown’s exclusion from Team USA
It is rare to see players getting passed over for a spot on Team USA’s roster. Jayson Tatum was interviewed after it was reported that Kawhi Leonard would not be playing for Team USA and had left the training camp. Although Jaylen Brown would have been a perfect replacement for Leonard, it was Derrick White who got the call to represent the country.
One can only imagine how Jaylen Brown felt after having two of his teammates chosen over him. Tatum undoubtedly knew that there was a sense of frustration. His response when asked about Jaylen Brown indicated as much, “Yeah, I mean there’s so many guys that could take that last spot or whatever. So yeah it is.”
Reporter: “Have you talked to JB at all?”
Jayson Tatum: “Ah, no.”
JT struggled when asked about Jaylen Brown’s exclusion from Team USA 👀
(via @NBCSCeltics)pic.twitter.com/Li6MX6wFal
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 11, 2024
Tatum keeping things short and even admitting that it was frustrating not to have Jaylen Brown on the team with him reveals how Brown truly feels about not being chosen. Fans certainly seemed to think so.
Tough question to answer. It’s not his job or duty to try and get Jaylen on the team.
You can tell he he knows it’s not a good look, but that question caught him off guard and didn’t know what to say.
I’m not upset with this comment
— @TheWinnersLounge (@DaWinnersLounge) July 11, 2024
“Tough question to answer. It’s not his job or duty to try and get Jaylen on the team. You can tell he he knows it’s not a good look, but that question caught him off guard and didn’t know what to say. I’m not upset with this comment.”
“I personally think Jaylen deserved a spot on this team, but they had different plans I guess. White is also a great player and I don’t want to take anything away from him. But yes, Jaylen also deserves a spot.”
— Mr McCant (@TheOneFortyPlus) July 11, 2024
All of this must make fans wonder why the Finals MVP was not given the opportunity to represent his country along with the best stars from the league.
Jaylen Brown thinks Nike ensured he was not selected for Team USA
Former NBA star Grant Hill is the managing director for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team. One would assume that he and a panel would have made the final selections for Team USA. However, there could have also been other forces at work. Jaylen Brown seems to think so and implied that Nike played a role in making sure that he was not selected for Team USA.
Im not afraid of you or your resources
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 11, 2024
Nike was criticized by the Celtics star after they terminated their contract with Kyrie Irving a few years ago. Since the sports brand is one of the biggest players that control the NBA, in terms of business, they certainly have enough influence to ensure that Brown was not chosen to represent Team USA. In any case, all of these is merely speculation with no real concrete proof.