Where Are They Now? Brown/Green

by Jeff Clark on Apr 6, 2008 7:23 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

It is nice to hear that Kedrick Brown is working his way back to the NBA. He's got a slim chance of ever living up to the hype and expectations the Boston faithful put on him. I remember being so enamored with his jumping ability that I would make excuses for the fact that he looked completely lost and downright scared out on the court. In my head I figured anyone that could jump like that and shoot the 3 pointer would eventually find himself a role on the team. He was even touted as an above average defender. What could go wrong?

Of course you know the rest of the story. He gained weight, got traded, and dropped out of the league. He's now become the cautionary tale that keeps rookies (like Gabe Pruitt) from slacking off in drills and long stints in the D-League. The really sad thing is that it seems like Gerald Green is following a similar path. After years of glowing words from the Celtics management it was jarring to hear such non-interest when he became available as a free agent. Not that I can blame them. Reports indicate that the kid just doesn't work hard enough.

Gerald is still young and he hasn't let weight get out of control, so he'll get another shot somewhere. Here's hoping he learns from his experience quicker than Kedrick did. Both of them captured the imagination of Celtics fans once upon a time. Both of them got a taste of the dream. I hope for their sake that they can find their way back to the league and live that dream again.

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If Kedrick Brown can still play defense, we should give him a training camp invite for next season. We could use his length and athleticism.

Gerald needs some work obviously if he cant find PT in Minny or even stick on 3 different NBA rosters. The fact that no one has even invited him to a 10 contract or workout is telling isnt it?

The former players chances of rejoining are usually slim but not impossible. Who else is out there we should be looking at? 8)

by billysan on Apr 6, 2008 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

it’s all between the ears and the realization that everyone in the nba is as good and better then you are. then it’s hard work, and more hard work than what you are ready for.

by nazzbo on Apr 6, 2008 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

About that Joe Johnson trade for Delk/Rogers … I never, ever saw any glimpse of talent in Kedrick. I kept rooting for him because others said he had talent … trying to find a bright spot in his game and NEVER saw it. Joe Johnson on the other hand had obvious talent from day one. It’s amazing Chris Wallace could have missed that … but then again, didn’t Chris Wallace trade Gasol for Kwame Brown ;-)

by libermaniac on Apr 6, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

I saw Gabe Pruitt totally dog it in a pre-game shooting session early in the year at a game in Boston, on a night where he wasn’t dressing.

I remember watching Kedrick Brown work his butt off in one of these sessions, putting up shot after shot, (although he his about as many as a skilled middle-schooler). Pruitt’s work ethic in the session that I saw was horrendous. He spent more time clowning around than shooting. I’m guessing that the few months of bus rides and empty arenas playing against 29 year old hoop vagabonds desperate for a meager paycheck and some health and dental insurance should open that kid’s eyes a bit.

There are only 450 NBA jobs out there, and even the most talented players can’t just coast through the league. Some guys, like Leon Powe, understand this, and use every opportunity to get better and make himself valuable to an NBA team. Many others never get it.

by TripleOT on Apr 6, 2008 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Brown was always a good defender. Combine that with his athletism and he should find a roster spot if his offense keeps improving.

TripleOT, I think the difference between Pruitt’s approach and Brown’s at the same stage in their careers is reflected in their coach’s approach. Obie would have had no tolerance for loafing. You could look at the way Blount conducted himself for Obie compared to Doc. If Pruitt didn’t get a fire lit under him with Garnett on the roster, he never will.

I don’t think Pruitt is long for the NBA anyway. Undersized combo guards are a dime a dozen. There are a bunch in the NBDL with Pruitt’s skill level who seem to take things a lot more seriously than Pruitt.

by lobstermobster on Apr 6, 2008 5:18 PM EDT reply actions