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Grant Hill explains why Team USA tabbed Derrick White over Jaylen originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
LAS VEGAS — After Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown appeared to express some frustration with being ignored for an open roster spot on Team USA, managing director Grant Hill did his best to explain Wednesday why Brown’s teammate Derrick White was the ideal fit to replace an ailing Kawhi Leonard.
Hill also pushed back on any suggestion that Team USA sponsor Nike, which Brown has previously criticized, played any part in the decision.
“Well, for a good portion of my career, I wore FILA — that was supposed to be a joke,” deadpanned Hill. He later added, “Whatever theories that might be out there, they’re just that.”
In between, he detailed the process of targeting a replacement just days before Team USA heads overseas in a ramp to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“You have to build a team,” said Hill. “And 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.”
“I’m trying to put together the right pieces that fit, and give us a chance to win”
USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill addresses the decision to add Derrick White to the team’s roster after Kawhi Leonard’s withdrawal 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mWUCrSB5Tv
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) July 11, 2024
Hill heaped praise on White’s fit.
“One of the many things that I really love about Derrick, and particularly with this team, is I don’t feel like his role changes much with our team, from what he does with the Celtics,” said Hill. “He plays alongside two incredibly great young players in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
“This setting is hard when you come in and you have to sort of — you’re the center of your universe and now you have to establish a role and might be…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/grant-hill-explains-why-team-025257908.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-07-11 02:52:57
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