If you'd only seen Kwame Brown's five-point, five-rebound performance against the Seattle Sonics last night, you might think nothing much has changed compared to last season, when Washington's golden boy -- the first-ever high-schooler selected No. 1 in the NBA Draft -- looked like seven feet of confused teenager on the court.
You'd be wrong.
STAT COMPARISON
YEAR PPG RPG BPG MPG
2001-02 4.5 3.5 0.46 14.3
2002-03 10.6 8.8 2.25 31.0
Even after a game where Brown was a virtual non-factor statistically, Seattle's Rashard Lewis noticed a difference.
"He's improved all around," said Lewis. "I think he's being a lot more aggressive both on offense and defense. He's playing well with his back to the basket and he's taking, and making, a lot more shots."
In his rookie year, Brown played in only 57 games, averaging 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in less than 15 minutes per appearance. While other first-year players like Pau Gasol and Jason Richardson were becoming stars, and Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker and Jamaal Tinsley were making major impacts on playoff teams, Brown was still learning to box out properly.
It didn't help that the youngster lacked a veteran mentor on the team to help coach him on his post moves; M.J. may be the greatest competitor in league history, but he's no center. That changed during the offseason, when Washington hired the recently retired Patrick Ewing as an assistant coach and signed free agent Charles Oakley, two big men with experience and reputations that command the attention of any 20-year-old.
Then, only six months after he had fans whispering "bust," Brown busted out with 12 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks in Washington's season-opener against Toronto. He followed that with 20 points, six boards and six blocks the next night versus Boston and was suddenly looking like Ben Wallace with offense.
Brown has returned to earth in the five games since, posting season averages of 10.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.25 blocks. With Jerry Stackhouse and Michael Jordan, the Wizards surely don't need another big-time scorer, so while the extra three or four field goals each game are a bonus, it's Brown's improvements defensively that have been most impressive. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks and provides an inside presence otherwise lacking in the Washington starting lineup.
According to his coaches and teammates, there's a simple reason Brown has become such a solid player this year compared to his rookie campaign: maturity. That should be a delightful proposition for the Wizards' front office, because if this kid is this mature this early, they're going to come out as the geniuses of the 2001 Draft.
WHY KWAME IS BETTER
Doug Collins
"He is much more assertive, much more confident [than last year]. He's running the floor and being a presence out there. I told him that I don't want him to get discouraged if there is a night when the ball is not falling for him. I told him that on those nights he can still make a mark on this team by doing other things; by guarding the basket, by rebounding, by setting good screens, by running the floor, and he is doing that. I am very pleased with Kwame."
Michael Jordan
"I think he is starting to understand what it takes to play in this league. I think his confidence is building and he is playing against some good players. If he can continue to play like this he is going to make us a much better basketball team. Defensively, when you know you have somebody who is going to go after some blocks, it makes everything a lot easier."
Tyronn Lue
"His energy level has improved. The energy that he brings to this team with his shot blocking ability, his rebounding and running the floor well. He is just doing a lot of things very well out on the court for us and we feed off his energy every night."
Brendan Haywood
"He's more mature. He is adjusting to the game a lot more. He is taking things slowly out there and shows that he has a lot more confidence."
http://www.nba.com/features/brown_021113.html
What do you all think of Kwame's Progress? Was it a good move or bad by the Wizards?
