I’m a man of my word.
Dear Jaylen Brown,
I owe you a sincere apology. For far too long, I let rivalry cloud my judgement and stopped myself from appreciating the player you truly are. Because you wore Celtics green, I convinced myself that every great performance was overrated, every achievement had an excuse, and every bit of praise you received was somehow undeserved. Looking back, I realise how ridiculous that mindset was. I wasn't judging you as a basketball player—I was judging the jersey you wore.
As a die-hard Sixers fan, I made the mistake that so many sports fans make. I let my loyalty become bias. Instead of respecting greatness wherever it appeared, I spent my time slandering you simply because you represented Boston. Every clutch bucket, every lockdown defensive possession, every improvement to your game, I brushed aside because admitting your talent felt like betraying Philadelphia. That wasn't fair to you, and it certainly wasn't fair to the game of basketball.
I also held a grudge because it seemed like you didn't have much love for the Sixers. Looking back, that's an incredibly petty reason to dislike someone. Athletes compete. They're supposed to back their own team, embrace rivalries, and believe they're better than the opposition. If anything, that's exactly the mentality I'd want from a Sixer. I criticised you for something I'd probably praise if the roles were reversed.
Then everything changed.
When LeBron James made the decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, and you played a crucial role in making that happen, I had to take a long look in the mirror. The man I had spent years disrespecting became someone who helped bring one of the greatest players in NBA history to the team I love most. It was a humbling moment. Suddenly all the unnecessary hate, all the jokes, and all the slander felt incredibly foolish.
More importantly, it made me appreciate the player and person you've become. You've consistently improved every season, developed into one of the league's premier two-way stars, embraced leadership, and proven you can perform on the biggest stage. None of that happened by accident. It came through hard work, dedication, and a mentality that deserves respect, regardless of what colours you wear.
So today, I want to admit I was wrong. I judged before I appreciated. I hated before I understood. I allowed rivalry to replace objectivity. While I'll always bleed Sixers red, white, and blue, I can finally admit that greatness deserves recognition, even when it comes from a longtime rival.
Jaylen, I'm sorry for every unnecessary criticism, every bit of slander, and every time I refused to give you the credit you earned. Thank you for proving me wrong, and thank you for playing such an important part in changing the future of the Philadelphia 76ers. You've earned my respect the hard way, and I won't be taking it away again.
Sincerely,
A formerly delusional Sixers fan who finally saw the light.
Madame Celeste Amarilla,
Vous êtes une femme méprisable et indigne de sa fonction.
Vous ne représentez pas le Paraguay, ce pays qui a transpiré la passion et l’honneur tout au long de la compétition. Par votre inconscience et votre racisme décomplexé, le monde entier a déjà oublié le parcours et l’effort historique que vos joueurs ont réalisés durant cette coupe du monde pour laisser place à une dame incompétente donnant la pire image possible de son pays.
Je ne laisserai jamais aux gens comme elle, la liberté de laisser propager leur haine et leur racisme à travers le monde.
I’m a free agent. I don’t have an agent right now just me and my family.
I know I have a lot left, and I genuinely love this game. I’d rather show you I’m ready than spend my time trying to explain why or flood you with analytics to prove it.
If you’re about winning, value mentorship, and think there could be a fit, you can reach me directly. I’m open to every opportunity right now—I just want to make sure I weigh each one carefully.
I can’t wait to share my story.
-#Invictus #BeAVictor
Robert Parish on Jaylen Brown potentially being traded:
“First of all, you don’t get rid of a talent like Jaylen Brown unless he asked to be moved, not to mention the backcourt with he and [Jayson] Tatum is a proven formula. So why would you wanna make that move? I find it disturbing, and it’s uncomfortable, and not to mention I don’t understand — never have, never will — why ownership and management want respect and loyalty from players, but they only give you loyalty and respect when it’s in their best interest.”
via @hoopshype