'BEEF INCOMING'
Jaylen Brown’s cryptic post leaves Celtics fans worried about ‘team chemistry’ again after Team USA roster reshuffle
Kawhi Leonard was forced to drop out of the Olympic team with a lingering injury
JAYLEN Brown's cryptic social media post has left Boston Celtics fans worried for next season.
The Celtics guard was overlooked to replace Kawhi Leonard after the LA Clippers star dropped out of Team USA's Olympic team on Wednesday.
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Brown's teammate Derrick White has been drafted in to cover for Leonard, who is suffering from a knee issue.
Both Celtics stars were included in the original 41-player pool for Team USA.
They were key starters as the Celtics ended a 16-year wait for a championship.
Brown was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP last season.
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But it was White, who put up career numbers last season in both shooting and rebounds, who was chosen to replace Leonard in Paris.
Shortly after White's confirmation on Wednesday night, Brown took to social media and appeared to send shade his teammates' way.
"@nike this what we doing?" he wrote on X in one message.
He later posted a tweet containing three monocle emojis, with his 733,000 followers trying to work out its meaning.
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"That spot on the Olympic team should have been yours, bro, you're the Finals MVP," replied one.
"Team USA destroying team chemistry. I’m leaving with something," fumed another.
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"Jaylen Brown should feel disrespected, no doubt about it," said a third.
"Celtics beef incoming," predicted a fourth.
"Can’t even be happy for your own teammate," countered a fifth.
Team USA managing director Grant Hill came out to defend White's selection following the backlash.
"You have to build a team," he said, via Bleacher Report.
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"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.
"Guys who've been Finals MVP, guys who have been a part of the program, guys who've won gold medals.
"Guys who I respect, admire, and enjoy watching.
"But the responsibility that I have is to put together a team and a team that complements each other."
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Team USA is chasing a fifth-straight Olympic gold medal later this month.
Superstars including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis are all on the roster ahead of the competition which begins on July 28 vs. Serbia.