Get On The Elton Brown Bandwagon!

[Bassman]

OK, Hoopsworld continues to marvel that no one has signed free agent PF Elton Brown. According to them, here is a young "double-double every night kind of player that can be had for the NBA minimum...who wouldn't want someone like that?". Well, I've looked to find info on Brown, and there's good and bad:

> A good University of Virginia player that improved his game as he matured.
> A player some UVA fans despised because of his supposedly bad "attitude and work ethic".
> In college he finished his senior year averaging close to 9 RPG and 14 PPG. He also was a poor defender and bad at the stripe (59% FT AVG).
> At 21 he was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.
> As an NBDL player he is a 2 time all star. He also played overseas.
> In the 2008 LV summer league he averaged 13.3 PPG and 10 RPG over 5 games.
> Brown was the last player cut from the Knicks in 2006 and from the Lakers in 2007.
> 6' 9" and 255 lbs.

Here's a portion of an interview with him this summer:

"They say I'm undersized. Then they say I'm too big. They say I need to lose weight. Then they say I need to gain weight. Then they say I need a consistent jumper, so I develop that. Then they say I need to score more down low. Meanwhile, I'm looking at the guys they're drafting, and I know I've got more potential than some of these guys."

Ask him about the D-League time, though, and he's got nothing but positive things to say.

"I loved the time in the D-League. They let you play. It's rough with some of the things about the league, and its frustrating always worrying about your performance, but when you're on the floor, everyone's playing full speed."

At the same time, he was frustrated with not getting his chance to play in the NBA last season. Towards the middle of the year, after another double double in the D-League All-Star game, Brown decided to accept an offer from Hapoel Holon in Israel.

"I wanted money, and I felt like I was playing for nothing. You have your dreams and inspiration, but if teams can't see your potential, it's frustrating. So I took off, made some money, and headed back here to come strong to make the NBA. "

Is Brown a better player than Josh Powell? Gee, I doubt the Bobcats know because THEY AREN'T TALKING TO EITHER ONE OF THESE GUYS!! Why not bring both players in for a workout between themselves and include Davidson, and see what they've got?? UNLESS WE'RE IN SERIOUS TALK TO PULL OFF A KILLER TRADE WE NEED ONE OF THESE GUYS. WHY NOT BROWN?

[Felton for Pres]

He sounds like a whiny baby to me. I understand frustration is a big part of it, but this article seemed to back up what UVA thought of him. Talented, but with a bad attitude. Doesn't sound like LB material to me.

I think we are going to sit tight at this point. I wish we wouldn't, but it just feels that way to me.

[Sledge]

Agreed. The kid just comes off as a child. He complains about not getting his shot, but then there are questions about his work ethic? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the two are connected. I don't see LB bringing in a guy who doesn't want to work.

[Walt Cronkite]

Too fat with a bad work ethic. Give me Fazekas or Powell over Brown.

[A_novabobcat]

Hey I say invite him to camp and see what happens. He could be a diamond. It can not hurt to ATLEAST invite him. Don't get it wrong, NOT everybody in the NBA has the most positive attitude, but they seem to get by.

Besides he went to UVA!!!!!!!!!!!

UVA forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fatlever]

wasnt this dude on our summer league team a few years ago?

[fatlever]

he sure was...
http://www.nba.com/summerleague2007/bobcats_070704.html

i dont remember being impressed. maybe he is much better now.

[fatlever]

game 1 - http://www.nba.com/media/magic/070907_miacha.pdf
game 2 - http://www.nba.com/media/magic/071007_chachi.pdf
game 3 - DNP
game 4 - DNP
game 5 - DNP

[chrbal]

Come on, lets bring Rick Rickert back. A guy who is most known for punching his then timberwolve teammate, Kevin Garnett. Yeah, thats a good decision...get in a fight with the face of the franchise.

Brown has been brought up on various boards before. I see him as someone you bring in late in the season, when your season is all over and see what you've got*.

*See a good chunk of the Heats lineup last season.

With Weaver gone, I say we start looking at guys like either Nick Fazekas (potenially good youngster) or some vet like a Jake Voshkul or whoever.

[August Us Seazr]

I wonder if Melvin Ely would be interested in a return engagement in Charlotte. At least the guys would be familiar, if not the system.

[e4Nf6]

What a waste....

When he was in college, I can remember thinking the only way he wouldn't play in the NBA is if he was playing in the NFL.

What the hell happened to him...

[Bassman]

OK, OK, !!! Everybody's made their good points, and indeed Brown is not a player worth signing.

I've got to wonder if the Bobcats are working the phones exploring trade possibilities. Maybe this is why they aren't ready to make an offer on a Powell or Fazekas yet. Clearly there are only so many roster spots available on NBA teams. They know how many are left, and how many are likely to be available up to camp. Trades will still get made by some teams prior to camp, but will the Cats be among those making a deal? Perhaps they hope to showcase May and Ammo in the pre-season in order to boost their trade value (particularly Ammo).

I still like Powell better than Fazekas.

[Dexmor]

Tex Winter loves him and tried to push him onto the Lakers regular roster.

[AvalonNick]

Well hes not playing for the Cats so i could really care less.