Brown hopes Bobcats stint could erase busted reputation
Kwame Brown is up to redeem his tattered basketball career when he opens the 2010-2011 season as a member of the Charlotte Bobcats. Considered as one of the biggest draft busts in NBA history, Brown has
not been able to meet his potential despite being taken first overall in the 2001 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. From there, Brown became a solid journeyman but criticisms seem to follow him wherever he goes. In nine season, Brown played with the Wizards,
the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Detroit Pistons. However, Brown never developed into a mature player, making him the favorite target of jeers of both home and opposing fans. Brown is certainly at a crossroad. Thankfully for Brown, someone
is still interested to take his service, someone who is responsible for making him, perhaps, the greatest draft disappointment of all-time. He’s Michael Jordan.
Brown-to-Jordan connection
Like other prep prospects, Brown had a sensational basketball career at Glynn Academy (HS). In four years with the ball club, Brown showcased tremendous offensive and defensive ability, leading them in
rebounds and blocks .He even more got into the spotlight when he was selected into McDonald’s All American Team honours. Considered as the best prep high school player in his class, Brown skipped college and pursued an NBA career. Although he had plans to
play for the Florida Gators, the fame and fortune of the NBA were too much for him to ignore.
Scouts and college basketball analyst were not in favor of Brown’s decision to jump right straight to the NBA. Many believed he needed to develop maturity in his game. Jordan, who served then as the Wizards
president of basketball operation, had his eye on the 6-foot-11 teenager from Charleston, South Carolina. And the rest is history. Brown was the number one pick, a lofty reputation he never achieved in his career,
As Brown continued to fade away from once-overhyped sensation stature, Jordan also received numerous criticisms from basketball pundits. Many think Jordan does not have the skills to manage an NBA ball
club. In nine NBA seasons, Brown averaged 6.7 points and 5.4 points per game. The only shining moment in his career was the 30 point-19 board explosion against the Sacramento Kings, aside from that, Brown’s career has been nothing but lackadaisical.
Reunion with Jordan; Brown could help Brown
In his reunion with Jordan, Brown found a team not anymore managed but owned by the basketball great. Obviously, Jordan still has trust on Brown, but this time, he made a decent deal by signing the player
to a one-year, $1.3 million veteran minimum’s pact. Brown, who has never reached maturity in his career, could somehow find his basketball “mojo” under the tutelage of coach Larry Brown.
The Bobcats’ frontline is clearly undermanned after losing big men Tyson Chandler and Theo Ratliff this offseason. Brown, who averaged 3.3 and 3.7 boards in 13.8 minutes per game, has a big chance to compete
with Nazr Mohammed and DeSagana Diop for starting nod. Thus, a stint with the Bobcats is opening opportunities for Brown to shine.
The Bobcats just proved that they can be a playoff contender. With all-star Gerald Wallace and Stephen Jackson leading the way, the Bobcats managed grabbed the seventh spot in the East playoffs but got
swept by the Orlando Magic in the first round. Nevertheless, the first taste of a postseason appearance was enough for this upstart team.
Next season is a redeeming moment for the whole team. the Bobcats, who also lost starting point guard Raymond Felton to free agency, will surely have a hard time matching their 44-38 record last season.
Still, they are a top-8 team in the East and could qualify once more for the postseason. This is a make-or-break season for Brown. Failing to impress would certainly end his pro career. On the other hand, coming up with a good performance here will open more
windows for Brown and once and for all prove Jordan was not wrong after all.
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