Kwame??

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3508699

Whoops, posted in the NBA thread:


Kwame??

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3508699

UxKa beat me to it, but it needs it's own thread I think...


Agent: Grizzlies forward Brown agrees to two-year deal with Pistons

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

Kwame Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3511) is headed back to the Eastern Conference.

Brown's agent, Mark Bartlestein, told ESPN.com on Monday night that the former No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft has reached a verbal agreement on a new contract with the Detroit Pistons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=det).

The contract is believed to be a two-year deal worth $8 million, with Brown -- who spent his first four seasons as a pro in Washington after being drafted by then-Wizards president Michael Jordan (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=175) -- holding a player option to return to free agency after this season.

Brown earned nearly $9.1 million last season in the final year of his previous three-year deal, which the 26-year-old received in the summer of 2005 in a sign-and-trade from Washington to the Los Angeles Lakers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal). Brown's expiring salary was the chief chip that the Lakers used to convince the Memphis Grizzlies (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem) to send Pau Gasol (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3513) to L.A. on Feb. 1 in a trade that earned the Grizzlies widespread criticism.

Brown played in only 15 games with the Grizzlies after the trade, averaging just 3.5 points and 3.8 rebounds in under 14 minutes per game.

I'm sure they are thinking he's going to back up Sheed full time (otherwise why would you give him 8 mil?). Where does that leave Amir? Unless you move Max or Amir, one of them is going to be a cheerleader most nights. Otherwise you are paying Kwame 8 mil to waive a towel.

So Joe's big move of the offseason is Kwame Brown.



How long until the Red Wings start?

Hopefully Joe can move Max for a good wing now.

So Joe's big move of the offseason is Kwame Brown.



How long until the Red Wings start?

Maybe he's loading up on bigs to move Sheed in a package with Tay or RIP.

Can't wait for the Tmac rumors to start flying again.

Can't we just move Kwame instead? Don't the Pistons love energy guys, not lazy ass bitches who continue to get worse as their once promising career dwindles down the drain.

I suppose they hope those energy guys will rub off on him. What could we get for a package of both Kwame's?

Sluts, I would think.

Welll this came out of nowhere.


Sluts, I would think.

F*cking awesome sig. It has me lulzing like crazy.

As per usual, the Pistons scoop comes from a national or New York source while the local guys snooze away.

Pretty ambivalent towards the move; not a huge fan of Kwame, but at least Joe seems to have learned his lesson from the Nazr debacle.

Must be a precursor to another deal.

If they can coach him up and if he has finally matured, it could be a good signing.

Who would have thought that the solution to the complacency problem would be KWAME BROWN?

Must be a precursor to another deal.

If they can coach him up and if he has finally matured, it could be a good signing.

If he can also learn how to catch a basketball.

i dont mind the move, Kwame can play center at 6ft 11in and 270. very nazr like though which is good and bad depending on how much we pay him.

As per usual, the Pistons scoop comes from a national or New York source while the local guys snooze away.

Pretty ambivalent towards the move; not a huge fan of Kwame, but at least Joe seems to have learned his lesson from the Nazr debacle.
fair enough take. Can't argue with that. He is a true Center(fuck what the article says that's his true position), so that's a start. Hopefully Phil Jackson taught him enough to get him close to right.

KWAME??????????? HAVE FUN EXPLAIN TO HIM WHAT DRY CLEANING IS.:VOLCANO:

http://codebloo.net/stuff/picard-headesk.jpg

double

THE classic Kwame Brown Article - from the washington post’s Sally Jenkins.
Growing Pains (http://www.czabe.com/backup/vol11_apr22/Growing%20Pains%20%28washingtonpost_com%29.htm)
Kwame Brown’s Unsentimental Education
Highlites:


“If you draft me, I’ll never disappoint you,”
There was the time they discovered that he was eating Popeyes fried chicken for every meal, including breakfast, because he didn’t really know how to grocery-shop.
One morning before a Wizards game, Brown called Lopez, and said, “I have nothing to wear. Everything’s dirty.” Lopez knew Brown had a closet full of new suits – he had helped hang them there. “Kwame,” he explained, “you have to take those suits to the dry cleaners.” That was fine, Brown said, but he didn’t know how to do that, and he still didn’t have anything to wear. Lopez drove over to Brown’s apartment, and found the suits in a heap by the bed. Each time Brown wore one, he would take it off, wad it up and throw it in a corner.http://www.kwamebrownsucks.com/2007/01/

I'm ok with this move. People are talking about giving him $8 million, but it's better to talk about giving him $4 million, since it's 2 years. At $4 million per year it's ok, considering what he's capable of. I don't expect him to be better than he's ever been. That would be horribly unrealistic.
But we know that he shoots a high percentage, he'll stay down low, he can bring 8 points and 6 rebounds, and he's an above average defender. Really, that's not bad for $4 million per year.
As a role player, he's fair. As a #1 overall pick, he's a huge bust. But we bring him in as a role player and he should be fine in that role.

At least we didn't spend the whole MLE on a backup swing man... at least he addresses a more pressing need... ANY KIND OF POST PRESENCE.
Decent SG's and SF are real easy to find.. to get a solid backup big when you're a playoff team takes risks... this is low risk with a possible uptick.... ain't no thang to get sIted 'bout.

WTF?
Worst letdown ever after all the buzz all summer long. This must be how other teams feel when they got Darko.

My girlfriend's dad read the headline to me, and I laughed, assuming he was kidding. Just wow. This has to be a precursor to one (or more) of the other bigs being packaged in a trade. I just hope it's a good one.

I've read that year 2 is a team option, can anyone confirm?

I've read that year 2 is a team option, can anyone confirm?

$4 million or a $200 Gift Certificate to Pinwheel Bakery. CAKES!!!

I've read that year 2 is a team option, can anyone confirm?

Stein says it's a player option

Stein says it's a player option

If Detroit has delicious cakes, Kwane will stay the extra season.

Fan question:

How many games do I have to give Kwame in a Pistons uniform before I can start hating him?

(Flip Murray took 2 games)

KWAME HATE CAEK (http://www.yaysports.com/nba/2007/01/kwame_brown_hates_celebratory_pastries.html)

i would have rather us stand pat than make this move. i get that he's a serviceable backup at that pricetag and therefore, technically, a solid pickup. perhaps.

but if we now turn around and trade one of our young bigs (amir or j-max) in another deal (for josh smith or not!) i'll be super pissed. or if he takes minutes from them then it's stupid also. true, neither is a true C but they share minutes with other bigs who can slide to C with them in there.

also i don't buy that he's just another in a long list of players who 'found their way to fulfilling their potential after coming to detroit' or whatever. billups, rip, sheed, dice, etc.....none of those guys suffered from poor work ethic and laziness like brown. THAT is his main problem and i don't know if that can be corrected.

i don't hate on the guy either- it's not his fault jordan was dumb enough to draft him #1 overall. but i have a hard time seeing him be anything more than a more athletic mohammed. which for that price is an OK move. but the implications the move has on other players is what i think could end up being a negative move unless there's another deal made in the coming days and weeks.

brown can play C which is an advantage but if we picked him up to take minutes from amir or j-max then it's a big mistake IMO.

there has to be another move coming and it had better be to move sheed.

but if we now turn around and trade one of our young bigs (amir or j-max) in another deal (for josh smith or not!) i'll be super pissed. or if he takes minutes from them then it's stupid also. true, neither is a true C but they share minutes with other bigs who can slide to C with them in there.
Well i don't care for that when other True Centers box them out the rebounding area like pussies and back them down all day. Fuck that. If a truer center worries your idea of minutes for our forwards, then we have too many forwards and maybe one has to go.

Fan question:

How many games do I have to give Kwame in a Pistons uniform before I can start hating him?

(Flip Murray took 2 games)
Well I don't hate him, he'll never be the #1 pick Kwame the dumbass wizards hoped for, i think he'll be a help in detroit.

Also I doubt it's a precursor to anything major. Maybe a backup gets dealt, but at the end of the day we have too many PF's and no Centers outside of Samb. We need bigs who play big against other Bigs like Ben Wallace, Elden Campbell and even Memeht Okur(though inconsistent) all did. If it's any consolation me and Jacki Chan both endorse Amir Johnson as a rotational guy over Maxiell.


http://www.detroitbadboys.com/images/amir-johnson-jackie-chan.jpg

Im happy with this. We should have signed him to a bigger contract though - his trade value is through the roof!

Anyway, he looks good in this video - so at least, you know... he has some potential?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC-KP4dL98M&feature=related

I was wiping my ass, found something that looked like a Kwame, and flushed it down the toilet. That says it all, really.

Boston's scared shitless of us right now.

I HATE

I get this impression that this is the last move we'll make during the summer, but with Kwame in place Joe will move Sheed (expiring) at the trade deadline. Unless of course Our other bigs are a complete flop. But I think Joe wants to see if Kwame can combine with guys like Amir to be a functional set of big men. Then he'll take everything he can get for an expiring deal and try to light it up then.

http://blogs.hoopshype.com/blogs/lazenby/2008/07/24/kwame-back/

Don't know if anyone has read this, but the first part of the article talks about why the Lakers were thinking of bringing Kwame back. He is regarded as having above average D and interior D is lacking on this Pistons team. For this sole reason I like the move, maybe we won't be bitch slapped by Kendrick FUCKING Perkins next year. Now we have our own gump, BRING IT ON!!

If he can even come here and just be an athletic, defensively focused sub, I'd be happy. He's not going to be taking minutes from Amir and Max as some people seem to think. He's 6'11", he's a center, he'll be playing center for us. Neither of those guys are going to be playing center for us anytime soon.

Hell, why not start him? Move Dice back to the bench where he belongs and Sheed back to PF where he belongs.

PF - Sheed/Max or Amir(whichever is not traded)
C - Brown/Dice/Samb

The rotations would even out with an inside guy (Brown, Max or Amir) and outside shooters (Sheed and Dice).

The ETO we gave him is interesting.

Basically, if he performs well, we'll probably lose him (in order to keep Rip) and if he sucks, we'll owe him 4 more million next year.

The more I read and remember about Kwame, I wouldn't be surprised if he has some serious mental health issues. Not saying that as a joke, just putting all of the evidence together and making an armchair psych conclusion.

The guy was coddled his entire life, then got to the pros and didn't know how to handle himself. Perfect example of where a year or two of college would have helped. Not saying he wouldn't have been treated like a king wherever he went, but at least that's a year of not living with mom/pop to mature a little bit.

If he was forced to go to college he might be dead.

I think his NBA employers have probably watched out for him a great deal, but with all of that freedom in college, who knows?

With potential trades still possible, it's too soon to project what the Pistons' starting lineup next season will be.

However, there's a chance that Brown could be the team's starting center, which would allow Rasheed Wallace to start at power forward and Antonio McDyess to go back to coming off the bench.

Maybe you're right jturbo

WE HATE (http://www.kwamebrownsucks.com/)

He sucked at $10 million a season.

At $4 million, he's a good deal.

Can't wait.

YvKwajwCqSg

Can we call him the CakeEater? I think that would be a fun nickname.

http://yzak.nu/fan/banks/layout.jpg

If he was forced to go to college he might be dead.

I think his NBA employers have probably watched out for him a great deal, but with all of that freedom in college, who knows?
I think it's discipline and th9at until he got to the lakers he wasn't being held accountable enough. That lil' bit seemed to make a difference there for him. He became a solid defensive and rebounding Center there.

Can't wait.

YvKwajwCqSg
That's Luke waltons Fault and luckily that fuctard is still a laker. :)

Uh, excuse me, Mr. Curry? Yeah, we would like you to now handle one of the biggest head cases in the league along with Sheed.....we know you've never done this before but this shouldn't be a problem right?


waiting for another move........

i remember there was this one game where he got booed off for blowing layups and getting like 9 turnovers in limited pt vs a legit team....fuck me

Boston's scared shitless of us right now.
Yea because Kendrick Perkins is an elite Center. The reality is that Kwame's Size is slightly bigger, his numbers are on par with Perkins and are better in most years, and is in alot of ways like Perkins with better defense even.

I'm amazed no one sees that it's Boston manhandling us at the Heavy Center vs PF position that probably played a factor in this and gives some precursor to how Kwame being a legit True Center is enough to make him valuable especially against Boston. Also one Thing to remember, Kwame has been a pretty solid Playoff performer too.

I think he starts, makes a difference defensively, improves our rebounding, completely nullifies whatever efforts to fuck us over perkins has provided in rebounding and pushing guys out of his way, and I think he'll define the term serviceable to a tee. .

Worst case he's an EC replacement to match up with fatty Perkins. Best case is he learned something in LA and starts to put a servicable NBA career together. Either way it's not a huge risk IMO.

Who knows, maybe being on a real team with real team leaders will be good for him. We've got a solid (yet sometimes complacent) environment with the non-me-first veterans that could be a great change of pace in his career. Look who he's played with so far.

Michael Jordan, I'm sure he was such a helpful guy.

Kobe Bryant, self-centered and me-first all the way up until this past season where he started deferring to teammates a little bit and acting like a team-first guy.

The Grizzlies, we can all admit they're just a fucking disaster.

This is an environment he's never been in before. Maybe he'll respond well to it and make strides. Maybe he'll be exactly as he's always been and we'll be stuck with him for 2 years. In the very least, he plays decent defense for us, exercises his option for next year and we either keep him around as a decent backup or trade him as an expiring next summer.

Can we call him the CakeEater? I think that would be a fun nickname.

http://yzak.nu/fan/banks/layout.jpg

The pic you posted isn't showing up but I hope to God it's Adam Banks, aka Jesus on skates.

If he can rebound and play good D, fine. but if the man is averaging less than 8 rebounds, I will personally kill him.

I understand the EC theory. But that was when we had a Center in place(Ben). We have none and based on the trouble having none cost us against Boston, Brown is in all likelihood getting every chance to start and probably will. We though that with shaq falling we didn't need a true center, and the truth is that we'll always need that. Big Z, Perkins, Dwight Howard, Samuel Dalembert, Andrew Bynum, Kurt Thomas, Okur, and even Dallas with all their athletes has to keep the slow rebounding slouch Dampier in order to compete with playoff teams. Some of these guys we can deal with on PF's alone but some are going to need to be defended with something beefier.

We need a true Center as long as Illgauskas and Perkins continues to embarrass us with easy tip-ins because the centers we trot out there are 6 inches shorter or 50 lbs lighter.

The pic you posted isn't showing up but I hope to God it's Adam Banks, aka Jesus on skates.
http://yzak.nu/fan/banks/layout.jpg You should see it if you follow that. Its not just Adam banks. Its "Cake Eater, the official Adam Banks fanlisting".

How much better do you guys expect Kwame to be (at $4m) than Theo (at the vet's min.)?

How much better do you guys expect Kwame to be (at $4m) than Theo (at the vet's min.)?
I expect him to be 7 feet and 270 lbs, and not be thrown around like a rag doll on the offensive glass like McDyess and Theo.

He's a space eater at the very least, and we happened to need one of those.

Not to sound disagreeing, because I'd rather take a chance on Kwami that bring back Theo as well, but how is Theo not a space eater? I don't recall him being thrown around like a rag doll either.

He's a fine shot blocker, but much like Sheed, and Dice he lacks the bulk of most centers and gets moved around on the glass way too easily.

I'm fine using him against %80 of NBA teams. Just not the Cavs and Celtics.

Both of those teams have found a way to exploit our undersized centers. It's one of the things Dumars needed to counter.

Hopefully Kwame can at least knock down a shot once and a while. Theo was worthless on offense for the most part.

Perkins can't shoot for shit either.

But even on a bad day, he's still 7 feet and 270 lbs.

Here's a trivia question for you guys that I just came up with. Don't cheat by looking it up.

When was the last time that the Pistons had a player on their roster that was drafted #1 overall?

I'm sure Kstat knows.

Here's a trivia question for you guys that I just came up with. Don't cheat by looking it up.

When was the last time that the Pistons had a player on their roster that was drafted #1 overall?

I'm sure Kstat knows.

Last year.

http://pistonsnotebook.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/webberhead.jpg

....and 2 years before that

http://aol.nba.com/media/pistons/coleman_140_041027.jpg

...and 4 years before that....

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/657811.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF19332EFD823EFD41CFD556B87797F809E5C 284831B75F48EF45

I knew you wouldn't let us down.

How many games did Coleman even play for us?

But when was the last time we had a #2-5 pick on our roster that wasn't Darko.
Please someone be smart enough to know this

But when was the last time we had a #2-5 pick on our roster that wasn't Darko.
Please someone be smart enough to know this


Busted.

http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2005/writers/lang_whitaker/06/06/the.links/p1_rasheed.jpg

I was thinking Chauncey but Sheed works too.

Brown has likewise been plagued by various injuries, appearing in 42 games or less in three of the past four seasons.
Didn't know that one.

I was thinking Chauncey but Sheed works too.

Don't forget me.
http://www.detroitbadboys.com/images/antonioMcDyess.jpg

Kwame in Detroit: Now that the Detroit Pistons have signed free agent center Kwame Brown, what will they do next? Is this a harbinger of the much-alluded-to major trade the Pistons are supposed to consummate with one of their stars? Or is it simply a move to strengthen the depth of their frontcourt? And does adding Brown actually do that?

Brown has plenty of detractors. L.A. Lakers fans will tell you Brown is a poor rebounder for his size and drops passes like they are made of molten lava. He also is continually ridiculed for never playing like a top overall pick in the NBA Draft. And yet, people still hold out hope he will someday blossom, someday become that player, and prove to be a dominant bargain for whomever he is playing for at the time.

Kwame Brown just can't win, and it's not his fault. He didn't draft Kwame Brown #1; Michael Jordan did. He didn't trade himself for Caron Butler; the Wizards did. He didn't trade Pau Gasol for his ending contract – that was Memphis general manager Chris Wallace. Yes, Brown has never produce like a top overall pick, but he wasn't the talent evaluator who set those expectations in everyone's mind to begin with.

Instead, now at two years and eight million dollars, Kwame Brown is finally going to be paid what his production demands. With career averages of 7.5 points and 5.7 rebounds, along with a 48% shooting percentage and just under a block a game in 23.7 minutes over 404 career games, it's fairly obvious this is what you will see from Brown. He's not going to dominate, he's not going to suddenly blossom; he will be a role player off the bench in the frontcourt who can provide a little defense and rebounding.

At that price, that's what he is getting paid to do.

And no, this move isn't going to dictate what the Pistons do next. They may very well make that big trade, but it's not because the organization is breathing a sigh of relief and thinking they have their replacement in the frontcourt for Rasheed Wallace or anything of the sort. All it does is provide for depth at the center position.

There are teams where Brown may have been able to have a bigger impact and perhaps even start – Atlanta comes to mind – but the mindset of the Pistons on this signing is very different.

classic

p5-A8Ao47nU

How much better do you guys expect Kwame to be (at $4m) than Theo (at the vet's min.)?
As a Center much better in lost post defense which was not Theo's best area at all and in boxing out on rebounds when Perkins wants to push everybody out of the way.

Again the real question is how good is Perkins? I think he's worst than Kwame, but he a big true center who can push around PF's. That means something to me. Kwame did the same when the Lakers almost upset the Suns and the Suns had no true Centers.

Not to sound disagreeing, because I'd rather take a chance on Kwami that bring back Theo as well, but how is Theo not a space eater? I don't recall him being thrown around like a rag doll either.
He was thrown around and could not box out.

The reality is that Theo has always been an off the ball defender who lived on his athletics which are slowly fading.

classic

p5-A8Ao47nU

KWAM-AY-BROWN

He was thrown around and could not box out.

The reality is that Theo has always been an off the ball defender who lived on his athletics which are slowly fading.

I don't know about thrown around, but Theo was definately out positioned as a rebounder. Theo rebounded like Ben (as you said relying on his athletics to get around people). He can no longer out fight people as he's declined with age. Ben is starting to become that way too. I would think Brown is a much better positional rebounder, but I'll wait to judge that until I see him frequently.

Don't the words "Kwame Brown, playoff performer" just roll off your tongue?
NOT!

Don't the words "Kwame Brown, playoff performer" just roll off your tongue?
NOT!
Tongue roll or not it's true. In fact better than Perkins did for Bean Town.

Does anyone else notice that every video of him (whether good or bad) shows him down around the basket? That's definitely something we've been missing these last few years.

Kwame could be a fine pickup, as far as backup Centers go (or "faux starter", ie, starter who plays like far less than 30 mpg), he's serviceable. But can we please stop using this retarded Perkins thing as a measuring stick?

either he's good for us or he's not, saying "well he sucks, but Boston also had a player who sucked who had a few good performances when it counted" is an absolutely retarded way of thinking which means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I guess we should pick up every shitty stiff because Perkins played well at times. Maybe if we were ACTUALLY GETTING Perkins that'd be applicable, as it stands, it's not even 1% relevant.

Fact is, we've lacked toughness, interior D, rebounding, and scoring not at the mercy of the jumpshot percentages. Kwame won't help with toughness or scoring, but if he can help with interior D and rebounding, he's a fine pickup.

Kwame could be a fine pickup, as far as backup Centers go (or "faux starter", ie, starter who plays like far less than 30 mpg), he's serviceable. But can we please stop using this retarded Perkins thing as a measuring stick?.
Measuring stick, who said that? It's an example of how much we don't have a space eater in the middle or an anomaly like Ben Wallace was down there. There's other ones too like Big Z and Eric Dampier. The reality is that you need to a true center.

Don't know how you came up with Kendrick Perkins measuring stick. The point was that he's a scrub who starts because he plays like a legit interior space eater at Center. In this athletes first era it's the teams with Legit bodies at Center who are winning the Titles. Even the Bulls needed a Luc Longley in the middle(another scrub who just filled space). I personally don't think Kwame is as bad a scrub as Kendrick Perkins, so no it's not a measuring stick at all.

I think the fact that there's been about 47 Perkins references is why he thinks its being used as a measuring stick. It seemed that way to me, as well.

If Kwame gives us what we got from Nazr, will he be as hated here or will his lighter contract grant him leniency? Because to be honest, that's about Kwame's ceiling, IMO.

We expected much more from Nazr than he gave us, IIRC. We brought him in at almost 6mil$ per for 5 years. Someone on essentially a one year deal for 4mil with fairly low expectations (rebound the ball, play some D) shouldn't have near the criticism Nazr did. Kwami isn't coming here to replace Ben either.

RF4xOJTCxDo

That guy is pretty terrible. I've seen some of his other stuff and its all garbage.

Who is it, youtube videos don't show up when I'm at work.

We might need a seperate "Zekyl Translator" thread soon.

I had to do a quote of your post and then head over to youtube and do a search, the actual video won't show up but the title will. Is it that stupid black guy that makes fun of the "leave britney alone" guy?

"From Larry Brown To Kwame Brown: The Gradual Fall Of An Empire" is coming out in bookstores soon.

^That's good.

In other news, prosecutor Kym Worthy is considering bringing up charges against Kwame Brown for impersonating a basketball player. Brown was playing video games and not immediately available for comment.

LOL

Official, finally


Detroit Pistons sign free agent C Kwame Brown
23 minutes ago

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—The Detroit Pistons have signed free agent center Kwame Brown, the overall No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft.

The team announced the signing on Monday.

Team president for basketball operations Joe Dumars told The Associated Press last week that Brown will be paid $4 million next season. Brown has an option for a second season for another $4 million.

The 26-year-old has career averages of 7.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 23.7 minutes in 404 NBA games. He averaged a career-high 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds during the 2003-04 season as a member of the Washington Wizards, who drafted him No. 1 overall out of high school.

Brown also has played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies.


“We are pleased to add Kwame Brown to our roster,” said Dumars. “Kwame is a player that gives us depth at the center position and we feel that he will have the opportunity to grow within our system.”

Kwame and Kwamita -- an ugly pair

The only thing that sunshine up Kwame's ass will do is to clearly show his shittiness. Mark my words, peeps...
Man you have it in for Brown. I'd take him over Flip Murray, Jarvis Hayes, and all other offseason fill ins you never roasted this hard. Not saying that he's great, but he's not as turded as you advertise either.

Man you have it in for Brown. I'd take him over Flip Murray, Jarvis Hayes, and all other offseason fill ins you never roasted this hard. Not saying that he's great, but he's not as turded as you advertise either.

To be fair, Flip Murray and Jarvis Hayes were making 1/2 of what Brown will make this year. Not really apples/apples.

The problem with Kwame is that everyone looks at him as a busted #1 pick. If he were a late-1st rounder that we putting up the exact same numbers and we signed him to the exact same contract, there wouldn't be half as much hype about this deal. We'd just be saying we signed a serviceable backup big.

Kwame is basically Darko at half the price.

To be fair, Flip Murray and Jarvis Hayes were making 1/2 of what Brown will make this year. Not really apples/apples.
Yet in still we only have him for one year if he doesnt do more than whats expected.. we're not on the hook for his money long term. never said it was apples and apples because imo he'll do better than both guys ever did for us.

Kwame is basically Darko at half the price.
Which isn't a bad thing at all.

Yet in still we only have him for one year if he doesnt do more than whats expected.. we're not on the hook for his money long term. never said it was apples and apples because imo he'll do better than both guys ever did for us.

If he doesn't do what is expected, we'll have him for 2 years.

If he's a scrub here, he'll take the $4m option for next year, IMO.

If he picks up his option, teams will be willing to trade something for a $4m center with "potential", especially on an expiring deal. It may not be much, but even if we could pawn him off to a team for a $2m contract, 2nd round pick, and cash, it would take him off the books. Or, we hold onto him until the trade deadline and use him to get something we need. He'd just be a $4m expiring contract to toss around.

When does Kwame's "potential card" expire around the NBA, though?

Is there a four team limitation to it?

(moving this stuff to the Kwame thread)

And teams will be willing to trade something for a $4m center with "potential". It may not be much, but even if we could pawn him off to a team for a $2m contract, 2nd round pick, and cash, it would take him off the books.
Yea, i do think even if he elects the option and sucks he'll have trade value in his contract being 1 year.

He's, what, 24, 26? People still talk about Darius Miles potential and he's older than Kwame, I thought, and coming off an injury. I'd say he's got another season and a half of the "potential" bullshit before he just becomes a 7 and 5 big man who plays decent defense, which will still earn him $3-4m a season in the NBA. Personally, I don't think he's getting to that "potential" level here, I expect him to be teh 7 and 5 guy, and I'm fine with that.

Michael Curry hasn’t been a head coach for even one official NBA game, but he has already earned at least one fan.

The Pistons announced today that Kwame Brown, the free-agent power forward and one-time No. 1 draft pick, had signed with the team.

And when Brown’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, was asked for reasons why Brown picked Detroit, he quickly spoke of Curry and the belief the new head coach will provide a positive environment for players.

That’s the message Curry hopes is getting around the league.

“We understand that players have strengths and weaknesses and we’re not going to harp on their weaknesses,” Curry said today at a charity golf outing at Wabeek Country Club in Bloomfield Hills for the St. Cecilia basketball program.

“We’re going to try to be a positive influence when we’re coaching them. We are trying to coach from a positive standpoint rather than a negative standpoint. That makes it attractive for free agents to be a part of that.”

The Pistons and Brown reached an agreement last week on a two-year deal for $8 million with a player option for the second year.


Just to give the full article, I think you only posted the end quote earlier.

When does Kwame's "potential card" expire around the NBA, though?

Is there a four team limitation to it?

(moving this stuff to the Kwame thread)

That's a good question. I think you lose your 'potential' label in your mid twenties. I also think playing time is a big factor. You could be 25 and not really had much PT, or you could be 25 and have started for 4 years. Since he didn't get much PT last year I'll give him one more year to show he can produce. After that I think his card expires.

My biggest problem is that I fully expect Kwame to crumble in the playoffs over some headcase kind of issue. Some sort of bullshit, probably of his own making, will come up. A mentally stronger player would take care of it, not let it get to him, maybe not let it get out to the media. Kwame will turn into emo suck boy and won't be there mentally when it counts. That's not what the Pistons need.

From the desk of the one and only Chris McCosky at The Detroit News

:mccosky:
AUBURN HILLS -- New Pistons center Kwame Brown, who officially signed his two-year $8 million contract on Monday, spoke to the media for the first time via teleconference on Tuesday. Here are some snippets.

On selecting the Pistons: "I am happy to be back in the East where I can use my size and defensive prowess more to my advantage than I could out West. I am excited by the way the team has embraced me. This is a class organization."

What did Pistons see in him: "I can't speak for Mr. (Joe) Dumars, but I think they see what a lot of people don't see. This is a team that takes pride in defense and they put a premium on players who play hard at that end. I think I am one of the most underrated defensive players in the league and this is a place where I can flourish at that end of the floor."

What has kept him from reaching his potential: "I could name all sorts of things, injuries, a lot of things, but I am not going to do that. The past is past and I am not going to disrespect my new team by saying anything that sounds like an excuse. I have a chance to rewrite my own legacy. That's what I am setting out to do. This is my home now."

How have you dealt with all the criticism: "It takes a whole lot to hurt me. I have heard it all and been through it all. I am only 26 but I have been through more than the average man can imagine. This is what we sign up for in this business. Your shortcomings are played up in the media and blown up 10-fold. People that base their criticisms of me from those things don't really know me. Anybody who has sat down and broke bread with me and gotten to know me, they don't have a problem with me."

That's a nice breaking bread reference, right there.

I think that is the first new McCosky article in about a month.

I am not going to disrespect my new team by saying anything that sounds like an excuse.

I like him already.

I like that he immediately went to the defensive side when talking about why he's here. Defensive Mindset = +1 for Kwame.

If his attitude on the floor follows what he says here, he has the potential to be a gem. Not a diamond, but maybe a ruby or something.

I can't get that horrible "Leave Kwame alone" video out of my mind when I read this thread.

Just curious what you guys think -- if Kwame resurrects his career here and becomes a solid big man, what does that say about Michael Curry and Dave Cowens?

Not necessarily anything. It could just mean that he finally got his head on straight. Then again, it could mean they're amazing and they can get the best out of people. It depends on what happens with the rest of the team.
It could mean its time to give Darko another shot

When does Kwame's "potential card" expire around the NBA, though?

Is there a four team limitation to it?

(moving this stuff to the Kwame thread)

When did Chauncey's?

Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota....5 seasons and 203 starts. An average of 40.6 games started per season. Meaning he sat on the bench and either didn't play or came off the bench in more games than he started.
Since coming to Detroit as a free agent he has started every single game he has played in (an average of 76.83 games per season).

So check the difference here in Chauncey's stats pre-Pistons and with the Pistons.
Before: With Pistons:
27.5 min 34.6 min
11.3 ppg 17.0 ppg
4.2 apg 6.3 apg
2.4 rpg 3.3 rpg
1.8 topg 2.1 topg

So he had plenty of opportunities for a change-of-scenery difference and never became a full-time starter. It happened here and everything increased. While some of that had to do with additional minutes, he became a better shooter, got to the line more, did it all without his turnovers increasing at an equal rate, etc. He was 25 when we signed him.

Turn the page to Kwame. Several stops. He's started fewer than half the games he's been in. He's 26. There are plenty of similarities. I'm in no way expecting the same type of jump in production. In fact, I would be happy if all we got from him was 03-04 numbers (10.9 pts, 7.4 reb).

I'm just saying that calling it a bad signing because he's bounced around and is in his mid 20's is flawed when looking at our starting PG, who has been to the past 3 All-Star games and was the MVP of our last championship.

Kwame will be much better than Nazr, Elden, etc.

If Kwame = Nazr I'll be happy with the signing.

I still think that is about the best case scenario.

And Elden was my boy, so watch it.

Nazr wouldn't have been a bad pickup if the deal wasn't for $6m+ for 5 seasons.

My biggest problem is that I fully expect Kwame to crumble in the playoffs over some headcase kind of issue. Some sort of bullshit, probably of his own making, will come up. A mentally stronger player would take care of it, not let it get to him, maybe not let it get out to the media. Kwame will turn into emo suck boy and won't be there mentally when it counts. That's not what the Pistons need.
Well atleast you have low expectations, but when did he have a plaqyoff meltdown or go headcase crazy in the playoffs? I remember him actually being fairly quiet in the phoenix series from a sanity stand point.

I'm not worried about a meltdown from Kwame since we can always count on Sheed to keep his cool.

Hey, if Gilbert says it's Kwame's year (http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800009898), who are we to doubt him (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007021127)?

If Kwame = Nazr I'll be happy with the signing.

I still think that is about the best case scenario.

And Elden was my boy, so watch it.

During the 72 games Nazr played for us, he averaged 4.9 pts and 4.2 boards in 14 minutes per game. That's actually very close to how Kwame did in his rookie season. Biggest differences - Nazr had a better FG% while Kwame played slightly better D and passed more (Nazr had a whopping 15 assists in 72 games). Kwame has had gradual improvement since then, though his numbers last season were back in the Nazr range. (.507 FG%, 4.8 pts, 4.9 rebounds, 18 minutes per game over 38 games between LA and Memphis).

In other words, I think Kwame will be at least = to Nazr, but very likely better.

Kwame Brown gets my dick hard! What an amazing deal!
:mccosky:

Newly signed Pistons center Kwame Brown believes that he is one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA today, according to MLive.com.

"I think I'm one of the most under-rated defenders in the league," he said while speaking to the press as a member of the Pistons for the first time on Tuesday.

"I've been through it all," he said about being traded numerous times during his short career. "This is the life of a professional athlete."

Free Press
His high school coach, Dan Moore, used Brown primarily on the perimeter because of his great passing skills and ability to beat defenders off the dribble.

Since joining the NBA, though, Brown has been played in the post. Moore says that's part of Brown's problem.

"He has never been a high-scoring guy," Moore said. "He's a great passer and a good shot-blocker with tremendous timing. The low post is not what I would consider one of his strong points. It never was and hasn't been yet."

Well atleast you have low expectations, but when did he have a plaqyoff meltdown or go headcase crazy in the playoffs? I remember him actually being fairly quiet in the phoenix series from a sanity stand point.
In 2005 he had a meltdown and was benched during the playoffs. In 2006, he tanked a Game 7 amidst rape charges against titanically-built Boris Diaw at C. I thought there was something else "emo" in the 2007 playoffs, but I can't recall.

It's one thing if you're "emo" and can feed off that most of the time. It's quite another if you let it turn you into crumby cake.

Isn't the '05 incident when Washington said that they agreed he shouldn't come back to the team ... ever?

Yes it is. Then they traded him to the Lakers. Anyone remember what they traded him for?

Caron Butler was part of the deal, I know that.

Zach Miner too, maybe?

Caron Butler was part of the deal, I know that.


Chucky Atkins too.

I'm just going to go ahead and say he was traded for Miner and some spare parts.

Hey, if Gilbert says it's Kwame's year (http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5800009898), who are we to doubt him (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007021127)?

yay?

Free Press
His high school coach, Dan Moore, used Brown primarily on the perimeter because of his great passing skills and ability to beat defenders off the dribble.

Since joining the NBA, though, Brown has been played in the post. Moore says that's part of Brown's problem.

"He has never been a high-scoring guy," Moore said. "He's a great passer and a good shot-blocker with tremendous timing. The low post is not what I would consider one of his strong points. It never was and hasn't been yet."


Maybe his high school couch should have taught him post moves instead of fucking up his career like that. Every big man with quickness wants to be KG or Dirk when they make the NBA but they aren't as skilled.

Yeah, how do you have a 6'11" kid in high school that can't score in the post? Unless he plays for Oak Hill or some other team that has a national schedule against other big kids - most nights the biggest kid on the floor is 6'6". Anyone 6'11" should be pwning the competition in the post.

Many people have commented that HS basketball is driven by guards and it's difficult for big men to establish themselves. I say with good coaching - that's bull.

Yeah, if you can't get your guard to lob it into a guy with a 5 inch advantage you are a complete douche. I enjoy playing in the post more than anything when I have a height advantage.

I'm 6'4" so I don't usually have 5 inches on anyone, but if I'm facing someone 6'1" or shorter, especially if they're thinner and easier to push around - I love to post up. Otherwise I'm midrange and hitting the boards for an easy putback.

I'm 5' 10" and I'd always sooner take a guy to the post. Here's a tip. It's easier to do everything besides score 3 points when you are closer to the hoop. Tons of passing opportunities, easy shots, you get fouled more. Hell, in highschool, if you have 2 good post moves and patience you can get anything you want

I'm 5'1, 240 and I make my living in the post. No one can stop me.

The Hasselhoff would not be pleased with those specs. How are you going to put on a speedo and help him save the day?

He can anchor the boat around his waist while the Hoff jumps in.

I've been 5'9.5'' since I was 12, which means I was introduced to competitive ball as a post player. I used to work on my baby hook for hours and hours, even though my coaches got mad when I'd use it (despite shooting a good percentage with 'em). Once people caught up to me in height, I started playing shooting guard quite a bit. Over the last four years of college I've shifted into a pass-first point guard, but if I get someone who has a couple inches or less on me, I'll take 'em down on the block. Hermy is right -- if you're patient down there, you can get whatever you want or get fouled.

The only time post play is bad is when you're playing a crappy team with a zone defense that ends up with 4-5 defenders in the paint.
At that point the best bet for a big man is to set mid-range picks or fight for rebounding position.

The only time post play is bad is when you're playing a crappy team with a zone defense that ends up with 4-5 defenders in the paint.
At that point the best bet for a big man is to set mid-range picks or fight for rebounding position.
Hell, if they end up with that many guys down low, you can kick it out for a wide open jumper.

I'm a fat chucker, sort of Antoine Walker-ish.

I probably shoot 10% or so from beyond the arc.

Y'all will warm up to him. :mccosky:

I'm a fat chucker, sort of Antoine Walker-ish.

I probably shoot 10% or so from beyond the arc.

You can play on my team any time you want. As long as you do the shimmy after every shot, make or miss.

:hollinger:


I don't get it

Kwame Brown's two-year, $8 million deal might be Joe Dumars's second-most questionable move as Pistons GM (we all know what's No. 1). Brown has been a failure at every stop since being drafted first overall; in fact, many of his numbers have gotten worse since he was a teenager. Why pay so much for a player who has produced so little, especially when there is no track record of improvement?

2 years, 4 mil per for a decent big man? How about who gives a fuck, ya cunt?

How would you characterize Kwame Brown's playoff performances? Apart from having a couple good games against Amare's lack of D, I just don't see it.

Anyone think he will be "decent" come playoff time?

No choice but to wait and see. He's too unpredictable.

He's a backup big. Who fucking cares?

I care if we could've gotten someone who could actually play in the playoffs.

For what we spent, I expect an Elden Campbell or Dale Davis -- someone who can come in and give a few good minutes a game in the playoffs (if the coach is smart enough to play 'em). If we get that, I live. If we get emo fuck face, we've blown a roster slot.



My sense is that he's a liability come playoff time. I want to be proven wrong, here.

I expect him to start:
Billups/Stuckey/Prince
Hamilton/Stuckey/Afflalo
Prince/Afflalo/Hermann
Wallace/Maxiell/Johnson
Brown/McDyess/Wallace

This lineup provides the most balance. The backup SFs could be any combination of Rip, Afflalo, Hermann, Sharpe, or Amir, though.

Just when I thought Kwame Brown was out of my life for good.........

I keep hoping that Samb will show up Kwame and we'll all be the better for it.

Mxy i've never seen you so slighted and premature in your hate. Its like you turn into a republican when we bring up Kwame Brown. Amare is a bum on defense when Kwame plays him? I'm not saying Kwame is a for sure help, Nazr wasn't for sure help. But atleast wait until we interject him into our setup before you write off as "please Samb emerge" . :VOLCANO:

Just when I thought Kwame Brown was out of my life for good.........
He is, you're a laker fan full time.

Mxy i've never seen you so slighted and premature in your hate. Its like you turn into a republican when we bring up Kwame Brown. Amare is a bum on defense when Kwame plays him? I'm not saying Kwame is a for sure help, Nazr wasn't for sure help. But atleast wait until we interject him into our setup before you write off as "please Samb emerge" . :VOLCANO:

Amare's a bum on defense since his surgeries, but thats neither here nor there.

I think I was about as "thumbs down" on Nazr as I am on Kwame. Nazr didn't worry me in the playoffs, but his contract was more a defensive anchor than Nazr was.

I get a Bedford vibe off him. My theory is that Kwame is a headcase, and that rookie coach Michael Binary Curry isn't going to get more out of him in the playoffs than Phil Headshrinker Jackson will. This isn't about talent, but temperament. I've never seen Kwame really "bring it" in the playoffs. In fact, it's quite the opposite... We've got enough malaise where bringing on another headcase doesn't seem productive. Samb doesn't seem like a headcase from what I've seen.

I'll try to keep an open mind. I want to be proven wrong, here. I'd love it dearly if Kwame could average a double-double in 30 minutes and D up and someone comes back to this post and says "ha-ha Mxy, I told you so". But like they say in Star Wars: "I've got a baaad feeling about this."