Celtics star Jaylen Brown prepares to celebrate his team's NBA title as Boston raises the banner of the franchise's 18th championship to the TD Garden Rafters on Tuesday night.

But before the NBA Finals MVP accepts his championship ring, he took the opportunity to get a few things off his chest when he appeared on “The Stephen A. Smith Show” on Monday – starting with Smith's unnamed source, who said Brown was “unmarketable “.

Brown didn't hesitate to address the controversy, even wearing the infamous “State Your Source” t-shirt for the occasion.

“I wore this shirt because I wanted to start the conversation here,” Brown told Smith. “I think it’s bigger than you and me. Apparently your references are through the roof. … I know based on your credentials alone that you will never reveal your source because you adhere to journalistic integrity.”

Although Brown understands Smith's position, he used the outspoken media personality's platform to address the so-called source directly.

“They quoted an unnamed source that I felt attacked my character,” Brown said. “And first of all, I didn't really have the chance to defend myself. And secondly, the damage has already been done, and I think journalistic integrity goes two ways.”

Brown continued: “I understand how this works, but I also understand the idea of ​​normal integrity.”…Your profession aside, reporter for the largest platform in the world, I hold you accountable. Are there ever disagreements about what you cover as a man? I mean, what you cover as a reporter and then what you stand for as an individual?”

Smith admitted that wasn't the case, but took the opportunity to defend his actions, explaining that he was actually defending the Celtics champion in the segment of ESPN's “First Take” that led to the controversy.

“I didn’t see it as something that denigrates your character,” Smith told Brown. “The way I looked at it was that people were basically pointing out that you weren't liked. And I completely understand why people who are in positions of power and decision-making wouldn't like someone, because they usually don't like people who are principled.”

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Brown reiterated that he did not blame Smith for the controversy, but wanted to use Smith's platform to appeal to those who had spoken out against Brown's sympathy.

“People like that are always watching,” Brown said. “And I wanted to let them know that I had a great summer. It's that simple. I've traveled around the world. I went for Umrah. I won two MVPs. I created Black Wall Street in Oakland and made a music video. I had a lot of fun.

“I really wanted to address her directly, but since this all happened on your platform, I feel like I wanted to send a message to her through you because you're the only person who knows who the source is and That's basically what I wanted to do too. Tell them that I think that's cowardice. I think in the past unnamed sources have attacked some of our greats. I am/we are not responsible for their lack of design. Honestly, they can call all their buddies, mates and friends from all over the world, all unnamed sources and they can shove it wherever they got it from. … And that is my journalistic integrity.”