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[Saba Sports News] In the latest episode of ‘Dubs Talk’ with Monte Poole and Dalton Johnson, Celtics star Jaylen Brown addressed the 2024 Olympic Games and the controversy surrounding his teammate, Jayson Tatum, who received limited playing time. Brown assured the public there were no hard feelings, stating, “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.”
Brown’s attention was on his non-profit event in Oakland, California, but his omission from the Team USA roster became a major topic. Despite leading the Celtics to an NBA championship alongside Tatum and earning both the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP, Brown was left off the Olympic roster, even after Kawhi Leonard’s withdrawal.
Brown initially suggested Nike might be behind his exclusion due to his past criticism of the brand, which may have made him an adversary of the company. While Brown was forced to watch from the sidelines, Tatum, though selected, saw limited minutes, which sparked further controversy. The decision to play LeBron James and Kevin Durant over Tatum, despite his championship status, was labeled “disrespectful” by many.
As the Celtics prepare for the upcoming season, the summer’s experiences will likely fuel their drive to defend their title. Overlooked by Team USA, Brown and Tatum might use this slight as motivation to further solidify their standing as one of the league’s best duos.