Report: PJ Signs

by Jeff Clark on Feb 27, 2008 3:19 PM EST in Boston Celtics Rumors

The Celtics, their needs still unaddressed at backup point guard, made a strong move today to add defense and strength to their frontcourt with the signing of veteran power forward P.J. Brown.
The 36-year-old Brown played for Chicago last season before going into semi-retirement. He was also pursued by the Celtics last summer, but expressed a preference to remain near his home in Louisiana, though he ultimately didn’t sign with two of his supposed targets - New Orleans and Dallas.
He is consided a rugged defender and rebounder - especially at the `four’ spot - and should provide the Celtics with yet another accomplished role player.

UPDATE: The Celtics have officially announced the signing . -R.H.

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Haha. The blog is all over this story today. I guess we’re all starved for news.

by Roy_Hobbs on Feb 27, 2008 4:26 PM EST reply actions

man, once Cassell signs, we have solidified our team for the NBA Finals

by Frontierboy on Feb 27, 2008 4:27 PM EST reply actions

we’ll at least be solidified as one of the oldest teams in the league :D

by Jeff Clark on Feb 27, 2008 4:29 PM EST reply actions

This signing means that we should all NEVER see Scabs on the court ever again. A good thing, IMO. Oh, who am I kidding — we all know that as soon as his groin heals he’ll be back to playing 15 min a night ahead of Leon and BBD.

by dobbs on Feb 27, 2008 4:29 PM EST reply actions

I hope he’s not rusty and overweight… When can he play?… :)

by Cry Baby on Feb 27, 2008 4:30 PM EST reply actions

I love this move. Much more then a Cassell signing (which I think would be a mistake). Hopefully Doc will work P.J. into the rotation and then shorten it so as to not be playing too many guys. I’m afraid Big Baby may have seen the last of his minutes this season. But that’s ok. he’s got plenty of time to develop and become a regular.

by furball2323 on Feb 27, 2008 4:31 PM EST reply actions

does Pruitt go to D League?

by Master Po on Feb 27, 2008 4:31 PM EST reply actions

i really like pj brown. my one question is- after seeing how out of sorts kg has been after missing 9 games, what kind of playing shape is brown going to be in? oh yes, also, how long is it going to take for him to be a playable force?

by nazzbo on Feb 27, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions

He was two years older in the post of the Boston Globe. How old is he 38 or 36?

by Max Power on Feb 27, 2008 4:34 PM EST reply actions

I think Pruitt goes to the D-League…but then what happens if we still sign Cassell?
Who gets sent down then?

by MBurke15 on Feb 27, 2008 4:34 PM EST reply actions

Great move by the Celts.

by greenwise on Feb 27, 2008 4:40 PM EST reply actions

“He was two years older in the post of the Boston Globe. How old is he 38 or 36?”

His real age and birthday are not known, as is the case with certain other athletes such as Dikembe Mutombo and Orlando Hernandez. At some point, these athletes picked a random date to be their birthday, and stuck with that date.

I predict Brown will wear number 69 when he gets to the Cs.

by dooyork on Feb 27, 2008 4:40 PM EST reply actions

Assuming we do not sign Cassell, does Pruitt still have to go as I count 12 without PJ?

by Master Po on Feb 27, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions

36 or 38?

It says in this one 36
It says in an earlier update 38

by mcpu40 on Feb 27, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions

I have his birth date as 10/14/69. Makes him 38 . We’ll see.

by aQua on Feb 27, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Nevermind, 38.
There’s an error above.

by mcpu40 on Feb 27, 2008 4:43 PM EST reply actions

He’s 38. Born in October 1969

by bobz99by on Feb 27, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions

Beautiful.

by CelticBalla32 on Feb 27, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions

PJ’s game can’t really get rusty since he’s a defender and rebounder, not a scorer….. so he can just hop right in….

by Frontierboy on Feb 27, 2008 4:46 PM EST reply actions

celtics.com has a picture of him in a green Bulls uniform – pretty cool

http://www.nba.com/media/celtics/pj_brown_green270405.jpg

by Jeff Clark on Feb 27, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions

it’s official… he’s in, they just posted it on the Celtics website

by Frontierboy on Feb 27, 2008 4:48 PM EST reply actions

Solid move. I definitely thought the C’s were weak at the PF/C position and I don’t fully trust Perkins in the playoffs just yet. If he gets in foul trouble, it can get ugly against a legitimate Center. A backup PG is definitely still needed but if Cassell doesn’t come our way, this is a nice replacement.

by DJ RYB on Feb 27, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions

good signing….
he had what we need hope he still got it.

by tommyfan on Feb 27, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions

It can’t hurt, but 38 is ancient for NBA 4’s. Unless he’s on the Roger Clemens/Barry Bonds assistance program.

by Kuberski33 on Feb 27, 2008 4:52 PM EST reply actions

Even if he’s not in game shape right away he’s big and provides 6 fouls to use against someone like D. Howard or Ben Wallace.

by TheBig3 on Feb 27, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions

Look at the guys who are on this thread; that in itself is wonderful to see…as for his age, we’ll probably have to wait till he’s 65 and is first in line for his Social Security check like my Grandmother was…Hah!… ;D

And as for his weight, I hope he has gained 20 lbs. cause we’re gonna need him most at the 5.

This is a serious signing…no holds barred!

by BoundingRounder on Feb 27, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions

i’m pretty pumped about this signing. Mainly because I will never have to see Air Intangibles set foot on the court again.

by blake on Feb 27, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

If this means the end of Scal’s minutes than great. If this puts an end to BBD’s minutes as well than it’s unfortunate but necessary for a title run. I see the depth chart in the playoffs as:

Rondo/Cassell?/House
RA/TA/House
Pierce/Posey/Scal
KG/PJ/Powe
Perk/Powe/PJ

by Byrdman on Feb 27, 2008 4:59 PM EST reply actions

I’m sure he’s in shape, he’s a worrior and would be better than Pollard an Scals even at forties.

by Max Power on Feb 27, 2008 4:59 PM EST reply actions

I need a drink….

by Master Po on Feb 27, 2008 5:04 PM EST reply actions

I love this game…wait…where amazing happens…….

and I say cheers Po amigo im with u in this one…. ;D.

what not to love.

by Edgar on Feb 27, 2008 5:08 PM EST reply actions

38 is a lot less ancient for a PF/C than for a guard, and Cassell has been pretty darn effective as a 38-year-old this season. Oakley was a similar player to PJ, and he played until he was 40. (Hell, Chief played until he was 43, and was still putting up a PER of 19.1 as a 38-year-oldfor the ‘93 C’s, but he was a freak of nature…)

by LA_33 on Feb 27, 2008 5:16 PM EST reply actions

Chief was a center and they seem to be able to hang around till about age 40 or so. PF is different because you’re constantly banging widebodies. Oakley is about the only one I can think of right now — of guys with similar builds to Brown.

by Kuberski33 on Feb 27, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions

I think it’s an OK, generally risk free move, but let’s not get too crazy. PJ has declined steadily each of the past 2 seasons. He’s not going to be any big improvement over Pollard or anything, other than (hopefully) dressing more games.

by cmoney on Feb 27, 2008 5:28 PM EST reply actions

well its about time.

by cons on Feb 27, 2008 5:29 PM EST reply actions

Now we just need the other shoe to drop! :)

by quidinqui33 on Feb 27, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions

I took me a while to figure out how http://www.celtics.com could have him pictured in the Celtics alternate uniform in game situation…

by kozlodoev on Feb 27, 2008 5:34 PM EST reply actions

He started on a 50-win squad last year. Perfect back-up..

by JHTruth on Feb 27, 2008 5:52 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think this hurts us at all. It should help if he has anything left. I think that his position allows his experience to control a lot of his benefit to us where a pg relies much more on his speed and quickness. I like this move.

As far as the minutes he will be taking, say goodbye BBD to your time on the floor and some of Powe’s to a point. Powe will still get Perk backup minutes split with Pollard. BBD will get a lot of DNP’s I’m afraid.

Once again, nice signing Danny. Low risk, high potential reward.

by EJPLAYA on Feb 27, 2008 6:09 PM EST reply actions

Master Po, how would you like your drink? on the rocks ;) ;) ;)

Hopefully Pruitt doesn’t go to the D League……

I’m afraid Danny made this signing thinking that Cassell will be a Clipper !!!!!

Hello “Flip” the other Wilson

by Ancient Red on Feb 27, 2008 6:13 PM EST reply actions

PJ Brown will be playing center for the C’s, he’s not going to be playing any PF…if he’s in with KG he’ll still be guarding the other team’s 5, man-though there aren’t that many true 5’s to contend with anyways…He’ll tandem battle Z and Howard with KG as the help defender…don’t expect him to play the 4 next to perkins, he’s a back up center…

by BillfromBoston on Feb 27, 2008 6:17 PM EST reply actions

Once again, nice signing Danny. Low risk, high potential reward.

WOOHOO! Amen. ;D

by BleedinGreen417 on Feb 27, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions

pass the kool aid Master Po for everyone to enjoy !! ;)

by celtpinoy on Feb 27, 2008 6:39 PM EST reply actions

Bill- How do you figure?! He has played PF his entire career. I don’t expect him to play next to Perk though, rather next to Powe or Pollard. With them all being about the same size I guess it may not really matter. You are talking about him in your post though as if he will be a starter. Not sure that is the thinking!

by EJPLAYA on Feb 27, 2008 6:49 PM EST reply actions

I think this signing is more about Pollard not being healthy or able to contribute for more than a few minutes per game. This also allows Doc to put BBD or Powe in the 2nd unit in the PF spot.

by LuckyNumber07 on Feb 27, 2008 7:32 PM EST reply actions

Very good move. This means no more Pollard or Scalabrine for the rest of the year.

by Brickowski on Feb 27, 2008 10:59 PM EST reply actions

Good news! Hope he gets into NBA shape soon!

Next signing … Cassell if his contract is bought out, otherwise, it’s going to be Reggie Miller! :P

by TheGreenThumb on Feb 28, 2008 12:45 AM EST reply actions

The Cs must have doubts about Pollard’s health going forward.
Brown is a wily veteran who will help at playoff time. He won’t be penalized by those cheap fouls the refs seem to hand out to young players. If Scal gets off the pine now it should be to wave a towel ala M L Carr.

by Greg37 on Feb 28, 2008 6:47 AM EST reply actions