Jaylen Brown Drops “CLUES” on Kobe, and why he’s not playing “The Game” the same way. It’s Deep. | HO
Reacting to Jaylen Brown sitting down with Stephen A Smith and speaking candidly about why he moves the way that he does.
Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics’ star, has been making headlines not only for his incredible on-court skills but also for his unapologetic approach to activism, business, and the legacy he wants to leave. In a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith, he opened up about his influences, especially Kobe Bryant, and why he isn’t following the traditional “game” of corporate endorsements and media-friendly narratives.
Instead, Brown is focused on using his platform to create long-term impacts for his community and challenge systems that limit personal and financial growth for athletes. His interview shed light on his deep admiration for Kobe Bryant’s post-retirement vision, his motivations for starting his own shoe line, and his commitment to “Black Wall Street” ideals of economic independence.
Kobe Bryant has long been an icon to athletes and fans, not just for his skill but also for his fierce independence and dedication. Brown has taken this to heart, viewing Bryant as more than a basketball player; he sees him as a visionary who was ready to tackle issues affecting athletes and their economic futures.
Kobe, according to Brown, inspired him to create an alternative to conventional endorsement deals. Bryant had reportedly planned to launch his own brand, “Mamba,” that would give athletes more ownership of their names, images, and likenesses. This revelation spoke deeply to Brown, who wanted to follow a similar path rather than conforming to traditional business deals that often left athletes without true agency over their legacies.
Brown believes that athletes need to use their wealth and fame to build something meaningful, and he has taken steps in that direction by founding his own shoe line, 7uice (often stylized as “741”). His decision to forego significant endorsement deals in favor of launching his own brand illustrates his desire to promote self-reliance and community empowerment.
In his interview, Brown confirmed he had turned down $50 million in endorsements to support this independent venture, valuing ownership and impact over short-term financial gains. He acknowledged that this decision was unconventional and possibly misunderstood by many, including fans and analysts accustomed to seeing athletes follow the familiar path of securing lucrative endorsements. But Brown is on a mission to demonstrate a new model of success—one where ownership and empowerment are prioritized, even if it means turning down millions.
A crucial part of Brown’s philosophy involves reviving the ideals of Black Wall Street, a movement that fostered economic independence in Black communities during the early 20th century before it was tragically destroyed. Brown sees his success not just as an opportunity for personal gain but as a way to uplift his community, a vision that can be traced back to his deep understanding of history and his frustration with the lack of economic opportunities for Black Americans.
He is vocal about his plans to invest in Black businesses and to inspire other athletes and entertainers to do the same. Brown’s ambition to promote wealth and ownership in his community is both a nod to his heritage and an act of resistance against a system that, for generations, has limited Black athletes to merely being spokespeople for others’ products.
In his sit-down with Stephen A. Smith, Brown shared how his community-driven approach often clashes with the corporate world. He stated that he knows his actions make certain people uncomfortable, which he sees as both a necessary and positive sign. The discomfort signals a disruption of the status quo—an essential part of any meaningful change.
For Brown, this era demands that younger generations of athletes question traditional narratives of “playing the game” to ensure that they don’t merely succeed for themselves but create opportunities for those who come after. Brown expressed that, unlike prior generations, today’s athletes have more freedom to dress, speak, and present themselves in ways that challenge stereotypes. To him, the old mentality of conforming to corporate expectations—whether in appearance or actions—no longer applies.
An eye-opening part of his interview touched on how he felt compelled to “make noise” publicly about his goals. Historically, many athletes, particularly Black athletes, felt the need to work behind the scenes to make changes quietly, often out of fear that openly advocating for change could threaten their careers. But Brown is clear: he wants his actions, and the legacy they build, to be out in the open, even if it brings criticism or scrutiny.
He emphasized that public visibility on these issues is crucial in today’s age, and by doing so, he can inspire others and show young athletes that there are more paths to success than simply accepting endorsement checks and corporate sponsorships. By openly standing up for his beliefs, Brown believes he is challenging younger players to rethink their own roles in society and to push for a model of success that benefits the broader community, not just themselves.
One of the most poignant aspects of Brown’s interview was his reflection on how he often finds himself at odds with older generations of athletes and sports commentators, who are more accustomed to working within traditional frameworks. Brown described how veterans like Stephen A. Smith and others may not fully understand why he would turn down lucrative endorsement deals or speak out against corporate sponsors.
Brown noted that many in Stephen A.’s generation were taught to prioritize pleasing their bosses and to view career success as securing personal wealth and stability. For them, success was about financial security and keeping the status quo, a worldview shaped by decades of systemic barriers that made conforming seem like the only viable option. But as Brown explained, the new generation doesn’t feel the same limitations, and he wants to encourage that sense of agency and autonomy.
For Brown, this journey is just beginning. He’s aware of the stakes and recognizes the risks, but he is undeterred. He’s willing to “cause chaos,” as he put it, to make a real difference, embodying the spirit of disruption that has driven social and economic change throughout history. He sees this as his responsibility—not only to himself but to the community he represents.
This mission reflects his understanding that his wealth, visibility, and platform grant him the rare opportunity to challenge and potentially change deeply ingrained systems. Brown’s vision for his legacy is about empowering the next generation of athletes and proving that they, too, can be unapologetically themselves while still achieving greatness on their own terms.
In conclusion, Jaylen Brown’s commitment to redefining what it means to be a successful athlete goes beyond personal achievement. He aims to dismantle the traditional systems that restrict athletes from building independent wealth and, in turn, restrict their potential to create lasting impacts. His admiration for Kobe Bryant underscores a commitment to carry on a legacy of greatness that transcends basketball and reaches into the lives and futures of those who look up to him.
Brown’s approach is about creating a different kind of chaos—one that disrupts conventional narratives and paves the way for a more inclusive, empowered future for the next generation of athletes and communities alike. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing for one’s beliefs, even in the face of criticism and misunderstanding.
