Video: Jaylen Brown Rocks 'State Your Source' at Celtics Parade in Response to Rumors

Jaylen Brown made sure to have the last laugh at the Boston Celtics' championship parade.

The Celtics star wore a shirt featuring the phrase "State Your Source," a reference to a tweet he sent last month after ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported Brown was not well-liked within the NBA.

Brown clearly took exception to the report, as he was clearly thinking enough about it a month later to have the shirt made and rub the championship in Smith's face. Embracing the "villain" role was Brown's mantra throughout the 2024 playoffs.

"Whatever you do is going to be scrutinized — or no matter how good you are, it's never going to be enough or (bring) any praise or any media attention," Brown told Jay King of The Athletic. "It's tough, but at the same time it is what it is. You've gotta embrace that villain. And as I'm getting older I'm starting to embrace it more. Embracing not giving a f--k whether they see (his value) or don't see it, whether they appreciate it or don't appreciate it. I'm focused on helping my team, helping my family, helping the city and I go from there."

Brown responded to his critics by besting co-star Jayson Tatum for NBA Finals MVP while helping lead the Celtics to their first championship since 2008.

Smith never divulged where he got his information from—though that's typical for any media member reporting via anonymous sources—but Brown's likability did not seem to matter much in the playoffs. The Celtics raced through the playoffs with a 16-3 record, the third-best mark of the 21st century.

Odds are Brown's shirt is a one-off rather than something he'll look to monetize, but don't be surprised if you wind up seeing plenty of knockoffs in the Boston area.