A high-placed team executive once told this Hang Time substitute teacher that a center typically doesn’t reach his prime until 30.
Looks like Michael Jordan reached on Kwame Brown again.
Almost a decade after Jordan, then the Wizards president, selected Brown, then a high school star, with the first pick of the draft, they’ve renewed vows in Charlotte. Could there be a more unlikely reunion this side of Mel Gibson and Robyn?
Jordan and Brown were forever linked even before news broke that the Bobcats were signing the 28-year-old journeyman to a one-year contract for $1.3 million. This bond began in 2001 and would go on to define the failed MJ Era in Washington.
As Brown’s agent Mark Bartelstein told the Associated Press:
“A really interesting story. Instead of running away from the shadow of Michael Jordan, he kind of embraced it.”
Brown was the first high school player taken No. 1 and Jordan’s first draft pick as an executive. Brown has since been labeled one of the biggest No. 1 busts in history, joining an infamous list that includes Joe Barry Carroll, LaRue Martin, Michael Olowokandi, Pervis Ellison and Kent Benson.
Brown’s biggest NBA contribution is being part of the blockbuster trade that sent Pau Gasol from Memphis to Los Angeles to ignite the Lakers’ latest title run. The Bobcats are Brown’s fifth team. He played sparingly the last two years in Detroit, and owns career averages of just 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds.
But the Bobcats were looking for depth at center after trading Tyson Chandler to Dallas earlier this summer. Jordan, the first former player to own a team, went back to a familiar well to fill that need.
There probably wasn’t much interest in Brown out there, which is telling in a league short of quality big men. But Brown is also opening up some old wounds by teaming up with Jordan again, though the expectations aren’t nearly what they were nine years ago.
Bartelstein told ESPN.com that his client is ready for the scrutiny:
“He really wanted to take the challenge of playing again for Michael and playing for a top coach like Larry Brown. I think it says a lot about Kwame that he wanted to go to Charlotte.
“The last few years have been difficult for him, but I think he’s really excited to go there and try to create a new chapter in his career. He wants this opportunity to go back and prove something.”
Maybe in the case of Michael Jordan and Kwame Brown, it’s not too late.
I think it’s good that Kwame Brown gets a chance revive his NBA career cuz the main thing he’s known for is being a top draft pick bust. If he could up his rebounding and focus more on defense rather than offense, he’ll have a good chance. Plus under Larry Brown, that should be one thing he should look to improve.
Except Kwame Brown is a pretty good rebounder, and a good defender in the post. Was he a bust? Of course, but nevertheless he’s a solid NBA role player. Signing him to a 1 year cheap deal is not a reach.
kwame who? the biggest loser in the world? just remember the time where he plays with kobe. i think this was his best season ever
MJ is the kind of man that does not take a no for an answer, he will not let people say that he FAILED by recruiting Brown who is truly a very incosistent player, I really think Michael should accept the fact that he will never turn Brown into the player he one day believed was. MJ you are the greatest!!! but for the first time, don’t be stubborn by trying to be king Midas cuz with brown the only gold you are getting from him is the one he has on his rolex, he will have to give it to you after showing he does not have anything to offer to your team.
I would say, just keep Dampier (not Olajuwon, Robinson,Shaq, or Ewing of course) but at least he can grab 10+ rebounds per game and he is stronger than Kwame, at the end of the season, you can let them both go and you will have necessary cap space to look for a decent center (not that there are many on the league at these days) but someone who can give the Cat’s a little more boost. This season Charlotte will be contending for 6th to 8th seed on the playoffs and that will give you experience as an owner and will give your team another year of experience in playoffs. But for the love of God, don’t trade S. Jackson and Wallace cuz they are turning to be the base your team needs to be succesfull in a near future.
Hes gotten better with the pistons just will mot get any playing time.
Go get it Kwame…Reach out the Hakeem Olajuwan as well. Wish you the best EXCEPT against my Celtics. Proud of you for persevering. Peace
I can’t believe Kwame is still in the league, MJ took this kid with the first freakin pick of the draft out of high school, and people trying to trash Isiah, are you really kidding me, its been how long? I can’t believe we’re still discussing Kwame “Hands of Stone” Brown. O.K. can the season please just start.. Wheyyyyy to much summer hype!! Honest Predition: Lakers- 3-peat..
He got better with the pistons. Joe D got in that ass. If u watch him u will be suprised.
Hes a very good passer and hes a better defenive player. He just did not get the playing time over ben Wallace, charlie V, and the rookie jerepko and now they have Gegg Monreo.
kwame is garbage unless he steps it up, alot of these basketball players gotta start playing like its their dream to play in the nba for a living. alot of players are playing just to make a living for their family to me thats not playing at all thats playing just to get by, me myself would give everything and then some to be in the position these players are in to be so blessed to play a basketball for a living and getting paid the way they do.basically is what im saying nba players reach in that inner kid in you and start playing for your dream,your dream was to be in the nba now you got that now start playing for your new dream, a championship never mind all the free agent hoopla and trades prove your point and make a name for yourself.
THE biggest active draft flop, I can’t even see him playing a big team in europe. Luckily for him he is related to MJ so his name comes up every once in a while
@cornerstones
I believe you meant to type perdition at the end of that message, cause that’s what a Lakers 3-pete would be. As for Brown, let’s give this guy a break. He is getting paid to be a role player now, not an all-star like some may have, foolishly, expected. Jordan was wrong about a young kid, that doesn’t mean he’s mistaken about who Brown is as a player now. Let the man have his 10-15 minutes off the bench.
Kwame Brown, reason why Lakers was down 2005 2006 and 2007!
Good luck Kwame you deserve this ! Take your time as you can’t win a ring with one shot so listen to Gerald and Borris as they’ll get you to where you’re going.
This is all hype. He’s been signed to fill a gap on the roster, in a position they are lacking. End of story.
This is nothing like when he was picked in the Draft. The comparisons are inadvertently being made between then and now, when the only similarity is that MJ and Brown are both on the same side.
I don’t really see how Brown can fail this year, as he’s only been signed to do the bare minimum. Anyone who is expecting anymore than that is foolish. Which means if MJ is secretly expecting more than the bare minimum, he is also a fool.
i think this was a stupid idea because they are like 40 years old i dont know if they can still play ball
A very big disappointment, I still remember an article back then that during the pre-draft some analysts and observers declared him a cross between Chris Webber and KG and then some. If you’re looking for a third player behind your 4 or 5 spots and need it for a cheap price then Brown is your man. If he were not the top pick, it would seem alright but never for a top pick. Nevertheless 1.3M for 6ppg and 5rpg is ok. The bobcats aren’t going to be competing for a championship anyway so better develop players like Tyrus Thomas who is still a work in progress and there’s still hope for him.
I hope MJ starts making smart decisions, he should be able to at least distinguish a good player from a bad one.
kwame brown will win mvp this season
i dont think this mj and kwame reunion isn´t gonna make any difference on the team, since over the years he hasnt put up any numbers and never been a real go to guy, the only good thing is that he will get another shot and maybe the last shot to make mj think different of him, aside that looking foward to the heat´s season …….HEAT CHAMPS!!!
he finally has a chance to show haters that he can really play defense and offense much love to ya Kwame Brown
and good luck with your career out there wish u the best of luck
Are there still MJ doubters? A very bold move by a guy who succeeds in failures. MJ believer all the way! I hope you try to reunite Iverson with coach Brown, backcourt scoring depth with Jackson anyway, and not much of a salary cap, I really think Iverson , Jackson, Wallace gives scoring threat to other teams.
i would love to see him play in Europe and see if he’s a standout .Hes just a big body but he needs to be more aggresive n get his points
I love them all. And I wish they would have a good seasom in the following days.
the dude ruined the lakers by giving all star caron butler for him but made up for being traded for pau
MJ is the best among the BEST!!
I hope that MJ will be noticed in the NBA basketball again… I wish him to play again, i want to see his moves and some of his signature that every person really acknowledge and appreciate how MICHAEL JORDAN is the best player and the best dedicated and most promising player that wants to achieve his dreams and not give up in such until he get that position..
I CAN ACCEPT FAILURE, EVERYONE FAILS AT SOMETHING BUT I CANTACCEPT NOT TRYING, IT DOEST MATTER IF YOU WIN OR LOSE AS LONG AS YOU GIVE EVERYTHING IN YOUR HEART!! – MICHAEL JORDAN
Let’s see if Kwame has matured a bit.
i wonder how kwame feels about others thinking that he is the no 1 bust in nba draft history? i watched him play on tv. he doesn’t do anything
Wasn’t Kwame just supposed to be Chris Mihms back-up or tandem big man option? When Chris was healthy (tragically seldom) he was by far the better Laker big man of the two.
As a Laker fan I can remember cringing anytime someone passed Kwame the ball. Good luck Bobcats…