This past summer, the 2024 Olympic Games turned Paris into basketball heaven as Team USA assembled what many called a dream team. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry headlined a roster packed with future Hall of Famers.
But when two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard had to drop out because of injury, things got interesting.
Team USA’s replacement pick? Boston’s Derrick White.
The decision sparked immediate controversy. Many basketball fans and analysts were stunned that Finals MVP Jaylen Brown wasn’t the one getting the call instead.
White joined his Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday who were already Olympic-bound, while Brown stayed home.
Recently, Brown finally opened up about being passed over.
During an appearance on Barstool Sports’ podcast “Million Dollaz Worth of Game,” hosts Wallo and Gillie didn’t shy away from the Olympic snub.
“You didn’t get called to the Olympics, when everybody know, you shoulda been in the Olympics… How did you take it?” Gillie asked directly.
Brown’s response was telling: “I’m gonna be honest with y’all… Man I had a great summer.”
The room erupted in laughter.
It’s no secret that Brown was upset about being overlooked. The timing was particularly rough – he’d just been named Finals MVP after leading Boston to a championship. In basketball circles, it was seen as a major slight.
Had someone asked him this question right after the Olympic roster announcement, his answer might’ve been a lot less diplomatic.
But Brown has always put team success first. Right now, his focus is locked on helping the Celtics defend their title.
With the playoffs starting in about two weeks and Boston likely securing the #2 seed in the East, Brown has bigger things on his mind than last summer’s Olympic drama.
The ninth-year star has matured into one of the league’s elite two-way players. His ability to move past the Olympic snub shows the same mental toughness that helped him lead Boston to a championship.
Sometimes the best revenge isn’t saying anything at all – it’s letting your game do the talking.
