Boston Celtics superstar guard Jaylen Brown has emerged as one of the
top players in the league. Winning the Larry Bird East Finals MVP and
Bill Russell Finals MVP in the same postseason. A young man whose
voice and platform has grew in ways many players aspire to be. For
Brown, it feels as if people who don’t know him create false narratives
about his persona. It raises curiosity to the media, but to Boston, his
presence is far greater than what’s reported.
Brown’s emergence has seen highs and lows; being a top pick in the
2016 draft and growing his brand with the right people. Playing in a city
who’s known for racism back to the days of the late Bill Russell, Brown
has been a role model citizen. No issues with the league, disgruntled
teammate, leader none of that mess. Impacting the black community
and shifting the economic status in closing wage gaps. Empowering
black America to become better while leading the Celtics to a
championship. You couldn’t ask for a better young man who’ll be
making close to $360 million dollars over five years playing in
Beantown. But the curiosity has grew over a short time and it started
with ESPN’s “First Take” co-host Stephen A. Smith.
During a show while the NBA postseason was ramping up, Smith read a
subtle message as it pertained to Brown that “he was unmarketable
and difficult to work with.” Now, this was live television and struck ire
to Celtics fans in part of why is Smith saying this about their star player?
In all my years of watching NBA, it was uncalled for. The curiosity could
be from where he stands on social issues. When the media was
crucifying Kyrie Irving, Brown came to his defense. Playing in Ice Cube’s
“Big3 All-Star Game” drew ire by supporting a black owned basketball
league.
The driving point was “state your source” as Brown tweeted during the
postseason and took a subliminal shot at Smith during the Celtics
parade by wearing a shirt with it. A player who doesn’t get the respect
or credit deserved for being a good defender, while missing all first
team defense. Led the Celtics to their first title since 2008 and couldn’t
be recognized. Even with the news of Kawhi Leonard being removed
from Team USA and teammate Derrick White being the replacement,
Brown took a shot at Nike. Rather it was intentional or not, Brown was
not happy with not being able to join Team USA. They don’t have
anything to do with selecting the players; that’s on Grant Hill and his
staff.
Credit, Brown should’ve been Leonard’s replacement but how the team
is constructed for the Paris Olympics is better off with White over Brown. Celtics fans will cry foul, but they have three guys on the USA
roster in Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. There’s going
to be a lot of more rumblings, but Brown is humbled enough to keep a
low profile. His impact off the court speaks volumes than anything
accomplished so far. There’s nothing to complain about, patience is a
virtue in life. Everything happens for a reason, and we don’t always
have the answers.
For Jaylen Brown, his career is beginning and the legacy he’s building in
Boston will be far greater than what the sports media will report.
Continue to stay true and let the game treat you right; there’s no
shortcuts to greatness. Boston is truly blessed to have a player like
Jaylen Brown.
