It’s all in the shoes.
Celtics 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown doubled down on his recent accusation that Nike played a role in why he did not earn a spot on the Olympics team.
Teammate Derrick White instead landed the final spot on the team after Kawhi Leonard withdrew last week.
“I do, for sure. There be more stuff to come with that,” Brown said when asked about Nike’s involvement in his roster snub, as covered by CLNS. “As of now, I’m not going to comment on it.”
Brown is one of the best players in the world and it’s easy to argue that he’s the biggest snub from the roster, especially since he’s a better player than White.
The former California star posted two cryptic tweets and one directly at Nike after White landed on the team, including: “@nike this what we doing ?”
He also tweeted three emojis featuring a monocle and “Im not afraid of you or your resources.”
Nike is one of the sponsors of Team USA, and Brown lacks a shoe deal after opting not to sign with any company after his Adidas deal expired three years ago, per ESPN.
The 27-year-old did wear Nike shoes in June during the Celtics’ title run, according to The Athletic.
Brown previously criticized Nike in 2022 during the shoe giant’s rift with Kyrie Irving, tweeting: “Since when did Nike care about ethics?”
Team USA executive director Grant Hill denied that Nike played a role in leaving Brown off the roster.
“And, so, whatever theories that might be out there, they’re just that. But that’s my responsibility. And it’s tough,” Hill said, per ESPN. “It’s tough to have conversations, tell people that they’re not on the team.
“I’m trying to win and I’m trying to put together the right pieces that fit and give us a chance to win.”
While Brown believes Nike prevented him from representing his country, he told reporters it did not surprise him that he did not make the cut.
He added he has no beef with White.
“I called Derrick right away just to make sure there’s no confusion, like my love for you and all of that,” Brown told reporters in Las Vegas, per CLNS. “He knew that, and he did. You don’t always got to make anything public, but me and D-White are good.”
