Maybe all is not perfect in Boston after all.
While the Celtics won their NBA-record 18th championship in June, one of the team’s stars posted a cryptic message on social media after a decision was made that was beyond his control.
After it was announced that superstar Kawhi Leonard would be withdrawing from playing for Team USA in Olympic basketball, Celtics guard and fellow defensive stalwart Derrick White was named Leonard’s replacement.
Few were surprised by the choice, except for his teammate Jaylen Brown.
On Wednesday afternoon, the reigning Finals MVP cryptically posted three emojis of him wearing a monocle with no text on his X.
During the 2023-24 regular season, Brown again performed well, averaging 23 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game and earning his third All-Star selection.
But the 27-year-old stepped up his game in the postseason, averaging 23.9 points per game and racking up four 30-point games to earn an Eastern Conference Finals and Finals MVP honors, marking the third consecutive year that the conference Finals MVP also earned Finals honors.
Meanwhile, White’s regular season stats looked inferior on the surface — averaging 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game — but the 30-year-old recorded more win shares than Brown.
Boston recognized White’s underrated accomplishments by giving him a $125.9 million contract extension in the offseason.
Team USA, led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, will leave camp and begin the competitive stage on Wednesday night against Canada in a showcase event in Las Vegas.
Won the gold medal. Brian Prahl/SplashNews.com
Team USA’s Olympic competition is scheduled to begin on July 28 in Lille, France, against Serbia.
The United States will be aiming for its fourth consecutive gold medal in Curry’s first Summer Olympic appearance.
