“Never miss an opportunity to see what you’re made of.” Jaylen Brown wrote this in an Instagram post. He posted pictures from his recent trip to Bahrain. In one of the images, Brown attempts a dunk while in the pool. The Boston Celtics star appeared to enjoy himself miles away from home. However, one comment seemed to bring back certain sour memories of Brown.

Musician Justin LaBoy commented on Brown’s Instagram post. “I got a feeling you never coming back to America 😂 #Respectfully.” To which Brown replied, “lmao 🤣.” LaBoy was commenting humorously on Team USA reportedly snubbing Brown for the Olympics and Brown’s displeasure. The reactions reflect a mix of amusement and dismissiveness, indicating his focus on handling the criticism with a sense of humor rather than taking it seriously.

Team USA not including the 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen came as a surprise to fans. It was widely expected the in-form player and the Championship winner with the Boston Celtics would easily make the US team. However, upon not being called, Brown said he “wasn’t surprised” by Team USA’s decision.

Brown believed a major US company was responsible for his exclusion. It was Nike.

“Since when did Nike care about ethics?” – Jaylen Brown vs Nike

Despite Jaylen Brown’s significant impact on the Boston Celtics‘ NBA championship run, he was not selected for Team USA in the Olympics. He blamed Nike for this. Brown had heavily criticized Nike for terminating its partnership with Kyrie Irving, after he allegedly spread “anti-Semitic” messages. “Since when did Nike care about ethics?” Brown had said.

Following the incident, Brown wasn’t selected for the national team. When asked whether he believed Nike had a role to play in Team USA’s decision, he said: “I do for sure.”

The Nike controversy also underscores a broader theme in Brown’s career, his sports, business, and personal image. As he navigates these challenges, Brown’s ability to manage both his professional and personal brand will be critical in shaping his future in the NBA and beyond. This situation not only affects his current standing but also influences how he will be perceived in the developing landscape of sports endorsements.