Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:21 am
He can hang a suit, navigate a traffic circle, thwart the pick-and-roll with a hard show. All of which counts as progress. Yet even now, at the ripe old age of 22, some things still baffle Kwame Brown.
Take tuition. His decision to bypass college aside, Brown knows the value of a good education and wants the best for his 2-year-old daughter, Kwameeri, and 4-year-old son, Jaden.
That said, talk of the tab leaves the Washington Wizards forward shaking his head, echoing the silent lament of parents everywhere.
That much? For preschool?
"It costs so much," Brown says. "You don't even want to know what I'm paying for day care."
Brown laughs. No worries. Fact is, he can afford it. Three years after Washington made him the first prep player picked No. 1 in the NBA Draft, the Brunswick, Ga., native is emerging from his own primary education, and at less cost than once feared.
In his initial home exhibition game, Brown bounced a ball off his foot. Never dribble again, coaches told him. Brown struggled down low, manhandled by stronger, savvier opponents. He lacked conditioning, footwork. The game was too fast.
Brown's first practice. Misplayed pick-and-roll. Former coach Doug Collins halts the action. Kwame, he says, you have to make a hard show.
Great. What's a hard show?
"Kwame didn't really know the game," teammate Brendan Haywood says. "That first year, you were on your own. If you didn't know it, you weren't going to learn it."
Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:54 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:09 am
J70 wrote:Sorry, but I can't see through this. Where's the problem?
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:37 am
J70 wrote:Sorry, but I can't see through this. Where's the problem?
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:41 am
fgrep15 wrote:J70 wrote:Sorry, but I can't see through this. Where's the problem?
Problem with what
It's a positive story about Kwame, since most people like to hate on him.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:47 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:50 am
Riot wrote:He needs to leave the Wizards. Seriously.
He needs to join a team like the Spurs, Wolves, Heat or something with a dominating big man who is a leader. You've seen what Eddie Griffin has done in Minnesota...what about Kwame in San Antoino just for a few years to get some experience, lessons and confidence. Maybe even become a starter in a few years but coming off the bench of a contending team with a leader like that would be perfect for Kwame to grow into the player he was suppose to be.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:00 am
Riot wrote:He needs to leave the Wizards. Seriously.
He needs to join a team like the Spurs, Wolves, Heat or something with a dominating big man who is a leader. You've seen what Eddie Griffin has done in Minnesota...what about Kwame in San Antoino just for a few years to get some experience, lessons and confidence. Maybe even become a starter in a few years but coming off the bench of a contending team with a leader like that would be perfect for Kwame to grow into the player he was suppose to be.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:08 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:09 am
Speaking of rocks: Brown carries almost 270 pounds on his 7-foot frame, much of it muscle. His shoulders evoke Gibraltar. His stamina? Think Bikini Atoll.
"I was so tired posting up," he says. "You can't believe how much work it is when you're out of shape."
Brown rubs his achy knee. As a 19-year-old rookie, the league's ferocity seared his adolescent lungs and psyche; currently, there are no surprises. He spent the summer lifting weights, honing his jump hook, working through rehab. He hopes to improve on last season's career-best averages of 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds. He feels ready, eager, a bit chippy: In his first game back, Brown was ejected after exchanging shoves with New Jersey's Jason Collins.
"I've learned that you have to look at the person in front of you on the court and try to kill them," Brown says. "Not hurt them, but go after them. Give the extra elbow."
For the first time, Brown was allowed to make mistakes. He would give up a score, then look to the bench. Play through. The game slowed down. Brown became Washington's best post defender. He hung 25 points and nine rebounds on Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. The two are kindred spirits.
O'Neal comes from South Carolina, turned pro out of high school, languished on Portland's bench for four seasons. Now 26, the Pacers center is a three-time All-Star. He invited Brown to train with him this summer. Take my story. Use it as testimony.
"I love Jermaine," Brown says. "If he can do it, I can do it."
His confidence maybe up right now, but he hasn't stepped on the floor this season yet. Once adversity hits him in the face I bet his confidence won't be as high as it is now...if he even has any left.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:21 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:21 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:50 am
http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html - created: 12/8/2004 5:34:40 AMfgrep, the Cavs are the number one team in the East not the Wiz.
Riot wrote:I want to believe you. I really do. I want to believe Kwame too.
But do you think he would come out and say "I don't think I can succeed. Nope, I don't think I can do it."?
I hope he succeeds and becomes a great player. But to me, I think the only way he will live up to his potential is if he gets some kind of mentor to teach him.
Duncan had Robinson, who does Kwame have?
Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:33 am
since most people like to hate on him.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:56 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 10:00 am
TheCambyManVol3 wrote:since most people like to hate on him.
I dont hate on Kwame, however I do think he has been a bust. The beauty of him being so young is he has a great chance to still develop into an all star.
Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:29 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 11:31 am
Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:24 pm
Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:28 am
Wizards Suspend Kwame Brown 12/09
According to sources close to the team, the Washington Wizards have suspended Kwame Brown one game for a dispute with head coach Eddie Jordan during Wednesday's home loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Brown, recently activated from the injured list and working his way back into game shape, entered the game in the second quarter and drew Jordan's ire by failing to carry out defensive assignments. Witnesses said that Brown walked away from an irate Jordan during a timeout, and then refused to rejoin the huddle despite requests from teammates and coaches. Brown remained in the lineup for several more minutes, but was left on the bench throughout the second half.
Brown, who is in the final year of his contract and could become a free agent at season's end, missed the team's first 12 games as he recovered from surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot.
Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:39 am
Fri Dec 10, 2004 7:03 am
refuze wrote:He's not all grown up. He's still a baby.
Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:46 pm
Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:53 pm
Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:05 pm