As the new season nears, the Boston Celtics kicked off the league’s first media day, following a summer filled with unexpected drama, especially around key players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, both involved in Olympic controversies. Reporters wasted no time diving into these topics during interviews, eager to hear the players’ reactions.
When reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown got to the podium, he was quickly questioned about his exclusion from Team USA’s roster, a topic that had been a point of contention over the summer. Caught off guard, Brown responded with humor, showing his ability to stay lighthearted despite his disappointment.
Damn, question number one? Can’t warm up a little? S**t.
Jaylen Brown said
The Boston Celtics star in the past had openly expressed his belief that his exclusion from the roster was due to corporate politics, as he specifically pointed to his outspoken views on Nike, the official sponsor of Team USA. Although managing director Grant Hill denied these claims, as he said, the decision was purely based on basketball reasons, Brown remained firm in his opinion.
Despite the unending controversy, JB seemed to have moved on from the Olympic snub, while his teammate Tatum’s own Olympic experience has also drawn attention. As the Celtics head into the new season, both players will be looking to put the drama behind them and focus on defending their NBA title.
Jaylen Brown unveils new unbearded look ahead of new season
While he was spending time answering questions on his Olympic snub, Jaylen Brown debuted a fresh look at the Boston Celtics’ media day as he showed off his newly trimmed facial hair. Despite the change, he reassured fans that his iconic beard, which has been a signature part of his appearance throughout his NBA career, would eventually return.
Fans are speculating if the change in appearance comes as he now faces increased expectations as he heads into his ninth NBA season. In what was a stellar 2023-24 campaign, where he won both the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals MVP, Brown played a key role as the Celtics secured championship number 18.
He averaged 23.9 points on 51.6% shooting, along with 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game in 19 postseason starts. Fans are getting excited as the team will open the preseason with games in Abu Dhabi in early October against the Denver Nuggets.
