Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown addressed the recent incident in Beverly Hills during Thursday’s post-game press conference following Boston’s 121-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
Brown had a public confrontation with the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) on Saturday, February 14, after officers closed down a private event he hosted at Oakley founder Jim Jannard’s home in the Trousdale neighborhood during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Brown, an Oakley brand partner who promotes its performance brand 741Performance, described the meeting as a panel discussion on culture, leadership and creative control, rather than a public celebration. He claimed that the event was by invitation only, held in a private home, and that no permit was required because the homeowner (Jannard) had granted access.
The BHPD initially stated that an event permit had been applied for and denied due to previous violations at the address, and that organizers continued despite the denial. However, on Thursday, February 19, the City of Beverly Hills retracted this statement and issued a formal apology.
“Honestly, I’m not too sure. I was just trying to enjoy my All-Star weekend, you know, when I was a starter for the first time,” he said, highlighting his frustration with the situation.
Brown criticized authorities’ statements, saying, “People were making assumptions and saying we hadn’t applied for the right permits. We found out that was a lie… They put that in their statement. So why would we even put that out if it wasn’t the truth?” He added that even the apology fell short: “Even in the apology that they gave, they contained things that were not true. So I don’t think that apology was acceptable.”
The All-Star reflected on being targeted during the event, calling it unfair to him and his team. “It’s a testament that we were targeted. My team didn’t do anything wrong. We were just trying to have a good All-Star break. It definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth,” Brown said.
Brown explained that the event was intended to bring together multiple industries and promote positive discussions. “We had a panel with BMA Williams, Andre Iguodala, Lar Russell, RDC World…all talking about what the future culture is…and then a watch party. We didn’t do anything out of the norm during All-Star weekend,” he noted.
Despite the controversy, Brown emphasized his focus on the game. “I wouldn’t even think about today’s game. I was angry, but we came out and were just aggressive and played great basketball. I like the way our team looks right now. Offensively, we’re finding our pace, we’re finding our flow,” he said after recording his third triple-double of the season.
When he faced former teammates Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford with Golden State, Brown remained professional. “I played with those guys, against those guys, practiced with those guys for a long time. I always wished them the best… We came out and did what we had to do,” he said.
Brown also addressed why he shared his feelings publicly. “If it happened to me, it probably happened to countless other people. I wasn’t trying to stir the pot. I just wanted to enjoy my All-Star weekend,” he explained.
Boston’s win solidified second place in the Eastern Conference at 35-19. Brown finished with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, while Payton Pritchard added 26 points and Sam Hauser scored 16. Boston shot 52% from the field and dished out 36 assists, controlling the pace despite Golden State’s fourth-quarter rally.
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