Jaylen Brown: “Sport is extremely political”

A sometimes divisive figure through his speeches, Jaylen Brown nonetheless remains a curious mind, who questions many things. In a program co-produced by the players’ union, the Celtics winger shared his point of view on the societal role of sport, and more particularly basketball. For him, it is illusory to think that sport can be totally separated from politics.

“For me, the biggest misconception is that sports and politics don’t coexist. I think most people think, ‘Oh, it’s just sport. It’s not related to anything. It’s just entertainment.’ This is so wrong. So wrong”explain-t-il à Andre Iguodala and Grant Williams.

“I’ve been to a million meetings. We’re not supposed to talk about the content of these meetings or the topics discussed, but I will say that our league partners have a huge influence on decision-making, or on the pressure that the NBA puts on the players. Because there is a lot of money at stake.”

Le sentiment d’être un pion

Jaylen Brown thus believes that the players evolve in a system which largely escapes them, and in which economic interests can weigh heavily.

“Sometimes these partners have political agendas and biases, depending on the state of the world and what’s going on. And this is imposed on us, so that we either choose to condone this or not to do it.”he continues. “Sport is extremely political, whether people realize it or not. Our sport, in a way, is a means of entertainment, and sometimes it almost serves as a distraction from everything that is happening around us in our country. HAS”

Enough to push Jaylen Brown to recognize that he sometimes even has the feeling of being used.

“Sometimes I wake up feeling like a pawn, because I’m just a distraction from what’s really going on (in the world).”he regrets. “There are conversations we’re not having that we should be having right now. But one time it’s the Super Bowl, another time it’s the All-Star Game. We use that, and people don’t talk about what’s happening in Minnesota, ICE, or what’s happening around the world. However, it is a broader debate that should be had. HAS”

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = decisive passes; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.