Nike Takes Baffling Shot At Boston Celtics Star Jaylen Brown
Nike is an odd company.
The Swoosh often collaborates closely with China but is willing to criticize American society. For that, Nike has faced scrutiny, yet it still finds the time to take aim at athletes who are paying attention to the company's shady operations.
READ: Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Goes After Nike For Team USA Snub
On Wednesday, Nike's X account took a shot at Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown, resurfacing a comment he made about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Greek Freak put up an impressive stat line.
The Greek Freak scored 59 points in a win over the Pistons on Wednesday, which Nike used to throw a jab at Jaylen Brown.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 28: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts after scoring a go-ahead basket in the final seconds against the Atlanta Hawks during overtime at State Farm Arena on March 28, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
In the aftermath of Giannis' performance, Nike tweeted: "Nothing childish about ‘em. 59 for the Greek freak [sic]."
For context, Jaylen Brown called Giannis, a Nike athlete, "childish" for faking a handshake during a matchup.
Brown has criticized Nike for taking "ethical" stances while holding a major blindspot when it comes to China. The company touts social equity in America while selling millions of products a year to a country run by a tyrannical government still engaged in slavery.
According to Brown's previous jabs at Nike, the company influenced Team USA to omit the two-way Celtics star during its selection of the Olympic roster. Fellow Celtics players Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White joined the roster, with Jaylen Brown as the odd man out.
Kyrie Irving, who previously criticized Nike's ties with China until he signed with Anta (a Chinese version of Nike), was also left off the Team USA roster.
CHONGQING, CHINA - JULY 19: A Nike logo is seen on the facade of a Nike Rise Concept Store on July 19, 2023 in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Li Hongbo/VCG via Getty Images)
Nike's assumption that it has the authority to shade Jaylen Brown over his problems with the company remains a head-scratcher.
Even Nike's applause for Giannis landed flat when considering that the Bucks have been a disaster this season.
Against the lowly Detroit Pistons, Giannis and the Bucks needed overtime to win 127-120.
As for Jaylen Brown, part of the second-seeded Celtics in the East, the All-Star responded bluntly to Nike's online shade.
"Yall got weird energy," Brown posted on X.
Nike, shut up and dribble.
Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
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