In a fiery exchange on social media, NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith fired back at Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown after Brown expressed his disappointment over not being selected for Team USA. Brown had previously voiced his criticism of Nike, but the USA Basketball managing director denied any connection between Brown's omission and his issues with the company.

Smith took to Twitter to express his disbelief at Brown's exclusion, questioning how a highly paid athlete and NBA Finals MVP could be left out of the team. He also hinted at undisclosed sources, daring Brown to challenge him to reveal them. Smith's strong words suggested that he believed Brown's previous criticisms of Nike influenced his absence from the roster.

This recent confrontation between Smith and Brown dates back to May, when Smith claimed on ESPN's First Take that Brown was not well-liked due to his attitude and was not as marketable as he should be. Brown promptly challenged Smith to reveal his sources. The tension carried on during the Celtics' victory parade when Brown wore a t-shirt requesting Smith to state his source.

Although Brown's omission from the Team USA roster is puzzling given his skill set and prior experience playing for the team, it's possible that USA Basketball's managing director, Grant Hill, valued the role player abilities of his chosen candidate, Derrick White, who can contribute strong defensive skills and ball movement.

In response to Smith's latest remarks, Brown fired back, expressing his fearlessness in the face of criticism or any resources Smith may have at his disposal. The back-and-forth between the two personalities has captivated fans on social media.

Team USA, despite the controversy, managed to start its exhibition season with a victory over Canada. The team is preparing to face Australia in Abu Dhabi on Monday, where Derrick White is expected to make his debut.

The public exchange between Stephen A. Smith and Jaylen Brown highlights the ongoing tension surrounding Brown's exclusion from the Team USA roster. It remains to be seen how this will affect the relationship between the player and the analyst moving forward.