Boston Celtics' star Jaylen Brown has recently aired his frustrations regarding Team USA Basketball's decision to replace Kawhi Leonard with Derrick White for the upcoming Paris Olympics. This move, overseen by Grant Hill, the managing director of Team USA, has sparked considerable dialogue and debate within the basketball community.
Brown's Discontent
Jaylen Brown, a standout player for the Boston Celtics, was not selected for the men's national team and has been vocal about his concerns. He hinted on social media that his exclusion might have been influenced by Nike, a significant sponsor of USA Basketball. While speaking at the ESPY Awards on July 11, and later during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 15, Brown reiterated his suspicion about Nike's involvement. "I do, for sure," Brown stated, alluding to the potential corporate influence on his exclusion. "There will be more stuff to come with that, but, as of now, I'm not going to comment on it."
Grant Hill's Justification
In response to these claims, Grant Hill has defended the decision, emphasizing that it was grounded in basketball logic rather than any external influence. "I don't know if that was before or after things went out on Twitter," Hill said regarding the timing of Brown's comments. "But yeah, I mean, I think this idea that there's a conspiracy theory—I always love a good conspiracy theory, but it was really, truly a basketball decision."
Hill highlighted the complexities involved in the team selection process, acknowledging the challenges of leaving talented players off the roster. "You get 12 spots, and you have to build a team. And one of the hardest things is leaving people off the roster that I'm a fan of, that I look forward to watching throughout the season, throughout the playoffs," Hill explained.
The Selection Process
According to Hill, the decision to include Derrick White was influenced by the need for strong point-of-attack defense and depth in the guard position. Hill elaborated on the team's preparation and training camp adjustments, revealing the absence of key players and the experimental line-ups considered by the coaching staff. "We went to training camp, and we didn’t have KD—Kevin Durant, sort of coming back from a calf injury. And then Jayson Tatum was late for arrival, he didn’t show up the first two or three days," Hill noted.
The absence of Durant and Tatum early in the camp presented an opportunity to reassess the team's dynamics. "We kind of stumbled upon something. We learned something about our group during those four days in Vegas," Hill continued.
White's Credentials
Derrick White had already been on Team USA's radar as a viable alternative to Leonard as early as June 14. Hill's decision to include White was further justified by his defensive capabilities. "Derrick White might be the second best in the world at point-of-attack defense," Hill remarked, underscoring the critical role White could play in the team's strategy.
Ultimately, Hill remains steadfast in his belief that the choices made were in the best interest of the team. "These are tough decisions, but having gone through this with the FIBA competition, you want to find the right balance and the right pieces on the court that we needed," he concluded.
As Team USA gears up for the Paris Olympics, the decisions made and the narratives surrounding them will continue to generate discussions. Whether or not Brown's absence will impact the team's performance remains to be seen, but Hill's defense of the selection process highlights the intricate considerations involved in assembling a world-class roster.