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Jaylen Brown-Stephen A. Smith beef, explained: Celtics star, ESPN analyst get into online feud over being 'quiet' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Since his Boston Celtics were eliminated in Game 7 of the first round, Jaylen Brown has been fairly vocal online — and about a variety of topics.
From calling out Joel Embiid's "flopping" and saying that there were NBA officials who needed to be "investigated," to his public denial that there's any fuel to rumors over his interest in leaving Boston, Brown has been active through both social media and his live streams.
On Thursday, that continued with Brown calling out Stephen A. Smith, suggesting the ESPN analyst should "retire."
Here's a look at the back-and-forth exchange between Brown and Smith on Thursday.
MORE:Jaylen Brown calls out officials in 76ers vs. Celtics, says they had an 'agenda'
Stephen A. Smith-Jaylen Brown beef, explained
Brown has made himself a hot-button topic in recent days — after the Celtics lost a 3-1 lead in the first round, he proceeded to speak about Embiid and NBA officials on his live stream, said that the 2025-26 season was his favorite as an NBA player so far despite a first-round exit, then also received a $50,000 fine from the league for his criticism of officials.
Additionally, one of Brown's top mentors, Tracy McGrady, added some fuel to the trade speculation by saying Brown is "frustrated" in Boston, which President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens then denied.
So, on Thursday, Smith, Michael Wilbon and Kendrick Perkins were on "First Take" discussing Brown, who also recently spoke out and said he "could play in Boston for the next 10 years."
"[The Celtics'] star this season, and one of the top-two preeminent stars over the last seven years, goes on camera — 24 hours after losing, not six months, not eight months, not the next season — 24 hours after losing a 3-1 lead, and says this was his favorite year," Smith said. "You can't do that."
Smith also pointed out that Brown's star teammate, Jayson Tatum, made an appearance on "First Take" before showing up on one of Brown's live streams.
"In other words, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum showed up on 'First Take' before he showed up on your damn show. How?" Smith said. "The year that Jayson Tatum was down with an Achilles tear is your favorite year? The year that Jayson Tatum had to sit out this pivotal, close-out Game 7, because of the injury incurred in Game 6, that's your favorite year?"
"[Jaylen Brown] needs to be quiet, and like Big Perk said, go on vacation, unless you're trying to get traded."
Afterward, Brown responded on X, writing that he'd "be quiet" when Smith is "quiet" and retires.
"Let’s give the people what they want," Brown wrote.
Of course, Smith had another response, saying on X that he has "love" for Brown but "folks are looking out for you."
"Here you are making this kind of noise and it hasn’t even been a week since you lost a 3-1 lead. You’re HOME. A champion and a Finals MVP saying his favorite season is the season he’s home in the FIRST ROUND," Smith wrote. "This is not about ME. It’s about YOU….and what YOU SAID. Enjoy your offseason."
MORE:Tracy McGrady says he believes Jaylen Brown is "frustrated" in Boston
Jaylen Brown Celtics comments
While there have been growing signs that Brown may be discontent in Boston lately, including his claims that 2025-26 was his favorite season and complaints over how the Celtics played upon Tatum's return from injury, both he and the organization have denied as much.
After McGrady said Brown was "frustrated" in Boston, Stevens said Wednesday that he spoke with Brown and he was "nothing but positive," and Brown has not expressed any frustrations with him about the organization.
Brown also partially put those rumors to rest on Wednesday, appearing on his live stream and saying he loves playing for the Celtics.
“I love Boston,” Brown said on his livestream. “If it was up to me, I could play in Boston for the next 10 years.”
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