The Team USA men’s basketball team playing in this Paris Olympics 2024 has more than enough star power to dominate any opponent. However, it does not include the newest NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP. So far, the omission of Jaylen Brown has sparked nothing else than controversy. But the team’s Executive Director, Grant Hill believes the door is not closed for future Olympics.
The former gold medalist and Hall of Famer was speaking with longtime analyst Rachel Nichols on an episode of Open Run. When Nichols asked him about the Jaylen Brown snub, Hill said:
When you have a team with a profile of players on this team, you know there’s gonna be controversies. It was disappointing. I’ve tried to do this the right way. When we first put out roster, before it was announced, I called certain guys. I called Jaylen Brown. I’m confident he and I will sit down at some point and talk about it. He’ll be a candidate if he wants in 2028.
Grant Hill on Open Run
Grant Hill feels that Brown will be one of the leading candidates when the 2028 Olympics come around. But the Boston Celtics star has to want it.
Considering the controversy surrounding the NBA Finals MVP, Team USA has put the entire selection process in a bad light. Many fans feel he was snubbed due to his faith and beliefs. More importantly, Nike was rumored to have influenced that decision.
Therefore, it must have built some ill feelings inside Jaylen Brown’s mind. So, Grant Hill is open to the idea of the NBA Champion being a part of the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. It’s just that Brown’s skills were a luxury Team USA could afford to ignore at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Jaylen Brown a luxury Team USA at Paris Olympics
Grant Hill talked about the profile of the team currently preparing for the semifinals at the Paris Olympics. That profile initially had Kawhi Leonard in it. A player, who has an almost similar profile to what Jaylen Brown has. An elite perimeter defender who can also score at will from anywhere on the floor.
That is what Brown could not understand. He was the perfect like-for-like replacement. However, Team USA understood that they needed a cover at the guard position. Tyrese Haliburton is a scorer and facilitator first. But in FIBA basketball, he will go up against tough guards. As defense is not his strong suit, Team USA decided to rope in Derrick White.
A player whose defensive prowess and his ability to score in clutch moments suited a position of need. That meant, Jaylen Brown, staying back at home. In 2028 when LeBron James, Leonard, and possibly Kevin Durant won’t be around. Therefore, it will be Brown’s time to shine, as long as he lets go of the ill feelings.
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