2012 Free Agent: Derrick Brown

[Bruno]

http://www.nba.com/media/act_derrick_brown.jpg
Born: Sep 8, 1987
Height: 6-8 / 2.03
Weight: 233 lbs. / 105.7 kg.
Prior to NBA / Country:
Xavier (Ohio) / USA
Years Pro: 2

Info (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/derrick_brown/career_stats.html)

[Bruno]

http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?Derrick-Brown-to-workout-for-Spurs-Hawks=1&blockID=765417&feedID=5212


Former Charlotte Bobcats small forward, Derrick Brown, is set to workout with the San Antonio Spurs next week and the Atlanta Hawks the following week, according to his agent Calvin Andrews of BDA Sports Management.

Andrews says he's hoping to develop talks with the Brooklyn Nets, as well.

[swaggerjackson]

I like this kid. I go to Bobcat games so I have had a chance to watch him, and I like him as a player but I don't think he has much of a chance to make this roster. He is tweener how lacks the height to effectively defend the paint, and he is not quick enough to defend the perimeter consistently in the NBA. But he has a great attitude and has a Spurs personality if you will. I hope he makes an NBA roster but I don't think it will be SA's

[Bruno]

I like him too. If he can improve his perimeter shooting, he can end up as a legit backup SF. With Jackson aging and being a free agent next summer, Spurs could need that kind of player soon.

[swaggerjackson]

Good point but I think since they are in win now mode the last roster spot should be used to bolster the frontcourt or atleast add a player who contributes immediately. Unless he really wows people I think this kid would be around next summer.

[sasffl]

Unless spurs trade Blair or Bonner, no spot for him

[sananspursfan21]

Yea i thought he would make a good spur, reminds me of danny green a little

[racm]

The Spurs turned DG from guy who couldn't make the post-Decision Cavs into a starter.

And let's face it, the Cats are the league's farm team.

[sananspursfan21]

The Spurs turned DG from guy who couldn't make the post-Decision Cavs into a starter.

And let's face it, the Cats are the league's farm team.

And a contract would practically be free

[Blackjack]

benefactor, my man! :elephant

[benefactor]

benefactor, my man! :elephant
:tu

I thought of you too, sir.

[TDMVPDPOY]

SMALL BALL lmao

[trollt]

Sounds like he is taller than Blair.

[ace3g]

Free agent forward, Derrick Brown and the San Antonio Spurs have agreed upon a non-guaranteed training camp invitation, his agent Calvin Andrews of BDA Sports Management tells CSNNW.com.


http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nba/43907/derrick-brown-agreed-on-a-non-guaranteed-deal-with-the-spurs.html

[loveforthegame]

I like. :tu

[TD 21]

Good signing. An true combo forward has long been a need. I preferred him to McGuire, because he has a career PER almost 4 points higher (13.8, which is respectable) and because he's actually shown enough promise from three (31.7%, on 41 attempts) to think he could become a respectable shooter. If he does, he could go from fringe player to rotation player.

Given that he can provide depth at SF and as a big, I expect him to make the team. I even think he's got a shot at lasting the entire season.

One thing's for sure though, he's definitely Spurs material . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUIv2Xf4KMY&feature=related

[ace3g]

If that is the type of play they are looking for, it will come down to Brown and Tyler Wilkerson.

[swaggerjackson]

If we are not adding a true big man this guy is a good pickup.

[benefactor]

Good stuff. Should make the team easily.

[yavozerb]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Derrick-Brown-1203/

Good pick up by the spurs.

[yavozerb]

If we are not adding a true big man this guy is a good pickup.

Well if no one is moved then I believe this would make 15 for the roster if signed..

[DesignatedT]

Good invite.

[slick'81]

def good invite had a good year for the bobcats should b able to help off the pine

[Seventyniner]

Irrelevant 14th man is irrelevant.

[justinandimcool]

too tall methinks

[Strategic]

All joking aside, at least he's tall enough to elbow the lakers in the nads when they're coming down with the board. If he's smart enough to come to SA knowing they are in a win now mode, I like him!

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Folks, like it or not, this is the way the NBA is going. The lines/jobs between the guards were blurred first, and now it's happening with the forwards.

The championship was won by the Heat playing LeBron at the 4 and Bosh at the 5. The "two bigs" lineup is almost a thing of the past. Only three WC teams really did it and played well, and none made it out of the second round.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Good signing. An true combo forward has long been a need. I preferred him to McGuire, because he has a career PER almost 4 points higher (13.8, which is respectable) and because he's actually shown enough promise from three (31.7%, on 41 attempts) to think he could become a respectable shooter. If he does, he could go from fringe player to rotation player.

Given that he can provide depth at SF and as a big, I expect him to make the team. I even think he's got a shot at lasting the entire season.

One thing's for sure though, he's definitely Spurs material . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUIv2Xf4KMY&feature=related

He's got the three potential. He shot 43% one year at Xavier on 2.6 attempts per game. If Chip could fix Kawhi's shot, he can likely fix this young man's.

[Dex]

Well, at least he's an inch taller than Blair. And if he can shoot the three, Pop should give him minutes.

[Buddy Holly]

An inch taller? He's atleast three inches taller.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

An inch taller? He's atleast three inches taller.

An inch difference is too little, but three is too much. The difference is about an two and a quarter. The good thing is that Brown has a bigger wingspan and reach than Blair, who is freakish in that regard.

[CGD]

I like this move. Can fill that 5th PF role probably as well as Blair can right now. If your gonna give up size anyway, may as well have a freak athlete there who can at least challenge shots. Really like Blair but it's time for Him to move on for his own sake.

[Blackjack]

In perspective, but . . .

:elephant

[Bruno]

Good move, I like it. :tu

Brown might not be the most talented player ever but form what I've seen of him, he plays hard and is quite athletic. He should be able to help Spurs on the defensive end which they badly need. If Spurs keep him, he will be able to provide more depth at the SF spot behind Kawhi and Jack. He will too be a good candidate to be a small ball PF.

Another positive aspect of this signing is that it likely means no Tracy McGrady and Josh Howard. I just didn't want to see Spurs signing them.

[timtonymanu]

I've never seen Brown play so I don't know much about him. Reading the comments in this thread, it sounds like he will be a good fit. He's definitely better than some of the alternates that worked out for the Spurs (Kapono, Josh Howard).

So far we have Brown, Aguilar, and Wilkerson invited to training camp? Any other prospects I left out?

[mountainballer]

outside his subpar rebounding I like this signing a lot.

decent size for a combo forward (plus a great wingspan) and is a pretty good athlete.
w/o shoes 6' 7.5"
in shoes 6' 8.5"
225 lbs
wingspan 7' 2.5"
reach 8' 11.5"

wasn't in the best situation in Charlotte with so many similar forwards there (Diaw, Thomas, Najera, McGuire) and the coaching by Silas can't be a good thing for a young player either. could become this years Danny Green.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

I've never seen Brown play so I don't know much about him. Reading the comments in this thread, it sounds like he will be a good fit. He's definitely better than some of the alternates that worked out for the Spurs (Kapono, Josh Howard).

So far we have Brown, Aguilar, and Wilkerson invited to training camp? Any other prospects I left out?

Aguilar and Wilkerson are camp invites, but Brown was signed to a full year, although unguaranteed, contract. His contractual situation is the same as Neal, but not quite as good as Blair, who's deal fully guarantees the first day of the season, or thereabouts. Brown and Neal don't guarantee until the deadline, sometime in January, I believe.

[sananspursfan21]

yah, this guy's pretty good, if he's not offered a contract, i'll be one angry spurs fan

[Buddy Holly]

yah, this guy's pretty good, if he's not offered a contract, i'll be one angry spurs fan

He was offered a contract, and signed it.

[elemento]

He has more than 2 inches over Blair. He is athletic and he can defend 3s and 4s just fine.

I like the signing.

The only thing i don't like is the fact that he is a below average rebounder and SA is clearly weak in that aspect.

Much better than signing T-Mac or Josh Howard.

GL to him.

[tenbeersbold]

Who we got runnin' for the Spurs in the Charlotte office???,first Diaw now Brown...

[ace3g]

Who we got runnin' for the Spurs in the Charlotte office???,first Diaw now Brown...

Diaw, Brown, and SJAX should have a little bit of familiarity, they were all on the Bobcats roster for '09-'10 and '10-'11 season

[Dex]

He has more than 2 inches over Blair. He is athletic and he can defend 3s and 4s just fine.

I like the signing.

The only thing i don't like is the fact that he is a below average rebounder and SA is clearly weak in that aspect.

Much better than signing T-Mac or Josh Howard.

GL to him.

Not as weak as you may think. I think it stands out to us fans more because the boards we miss out on have a tendency to linger on our memory, but the Spurs are actually one of the better rebounding teams.

According to Hollingers efficiency ratings (which, as always, must be taken with a grain of salt), Spurs were the best defensive rebounding team in the league last year, and are perennially near the top of the heap in that regard (even with our lack of size and one particular redhead).

They were, however, 24th in offensive rebounding, but that has never been an area emphasized by Pop's system, which has always valued getting back on defense over crashing the O-boards. That's probably not going to change even if the Spurs do add size.

Overall though, the Spurs were within the top 10 of rebounding teams (tied with the Heat and Clippers for 6th).

[TimDunkem]

Two dunks, one for each of the turd towers at :50 and 1:33 here:

OFFMOwOMbso

[8FOR!3]

So is this guy comparable to like a Serge Ibaka in size? Or is he a lot smaller?

[ace3g]

So is this guy comparable to like a Serge Ibaka in size? Or is he a lot smaller?

Ibaka is about 6'10, Brown is 6'8

[ivanfromwestwood]

Put him on Durant on the season opener. If he does good I will be one happy mutherfucker

[Bruno]

Aguilar and Wilkerson are camp invites, but Brown was signed to a full year, although unguaranteed, contract.

Aguilar and Wilkerson will also be signed to contracts that are at least one year long. There is no such things as contracts only for the training camp. The minimum length of a contract for a player that is at a training camp is one year.



So far we have Brown, Aguilar, and Wilkerson invited to training camp? Any other prospects I left out?

Ryan Richards is a strong possibility for getting a training camp invite since it looks like he doesn't want to go back to Europe.

[Bruno]

The only thing i don't like is the fact that he is a below average rebounder and SA is clearly weak in that aspect.

Well, he mostly played SF in the NBA and he is a fine rebounder for a SF.


BTW, a little tidbit from the original article about the signing:
http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?F-Derrick-Brown-agrees-to-deal-with-Spur=1&blockID=776467&feedID=5212

Brown worked out for the Spurs a couple of weeks ago and according to sources, he has a good shot to make it past camp.

Brown might be a fine candidate for the 15th roster spot but if he get it, Spurs will be with a full roster and only be $300K below the tax. It will give them little leeway to add a 7 footer and they will really need one to face the Lakers.

[bklynspursfan]

Well, he mostly played SF in the NBA and he is a fine rebounder for a SF.


BTW, a little tidbit from the original article about the signing:
http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?F-Derrick-Brown-agrees-to-deal-with-Spur=1&blockID=776467&feedID=5212


Brown might be a fine candidate for the 15th roster spot but if he get it, Spurs will be with a full roster and only be $300K below the tax. It will give them little leeway to add a 7 footer and they will really need one to face the Lakers.

You think that ends up being Fesenko?

[spurraider21]

If he will take even 1 minute from bonner this is a fantastic signing

[sananspursfan21]

He was offered a contract, and signed it.

oh, cool, i must have misread. one happy spurs fan :toast

[racm]

Well, he mostly played SF in the NBA and he is a fine rebounder for a SF.


BTW, a little tidbit from the original article about the signing:
http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?F-Derrick-Brown-agrees-to-deal-with-Spur=1&blockID=776467&feedID=5212


Brown might be a fine candidate for the 15th roster spot but if he get it, Spurs will be with a full roster and only be $300K below the tax. It will give them little leeway to add a 7 footer and they will really need one to face the Lakers.

And KL is a very good rebounder for a wing.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Well, he mostly played SF in the NBA and he is a fine rebounder for a SF.


BTW, a little tidbit from the original article about the signing:
http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingblazers?F-Derrick-Brown-agrees-to-deal-with-Spur=1&blockID=776467&feedID=5212


Brown might be a fine candidate for the 15th roster spot but if he get it, Spurs will be with a full roster and only be $300K below the tax. It will give them little leeway to add a 7 footer and they will really need one to face the Lakers.

I wouldn't count on Blair being here. That would free up another million dollars or so.

[justinandimcool]

He'll get minutes behind Duncan/Diaw/Jackson/Leonard/Bonner? whose minutes is he taking away? Obviously we're all hoping Matty sits more but c'mon, this is Pop.

[spurs10]

He'll get minutes behind Duncan/Diaw/Jackson/Leonard/Bonner? whose minutes is he taking away? Obviously we're all hoping Matty sits more but c'mon, this is Pop.
This is interesting because he probably isn't going to fill in for every 5, 4, & 3 to begin with. So take Tim, and Tiago, out of the picture and you only have the forward position to consider. It will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds. He got a lot of minutes and did well last year....???

[mountainballer]

way premature to guess what position and role he might play. IMO what they do is stockpile "system" players, so they will be in a good position for several trade scenarios comes deadline.
the only chance the Spurs have to close the gap will be a trade for a quality PF at deadline. such a trade won't happen now and it won't happen this year.
the more players the Spurs have on the roster, who can fill eventual holes caused by a trade, the better the chances for a trade are. players who can play/defend 2 positions (like Brown might be able to do) will be even more valueable.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Brown is a little different from other candidates we've brought in in the past. He's never played pro ball at any level other than the NBA, and he's almost right on the average for PER rating. There are former first rounders who never perform at that level.

[benefactor]

If Brown is able to make a case for himself during camp(I have a good feeling he will) there is a better than average chance Blair is traded and Brown takes his minutes as a small ball PF. Though he's far from the best option for this he's a better option than Blair. Blair is just never going to fit long term.

[spurs10]

way premature to guess what position and role he might play. IMO what they do is stockpile "system" players, so they will be in a good position for several trade scenarios comes deadline.
the only chance the Spurs have to close the gap will be a trade for a quality PF at deadline. such a trade won't happen now and it won't happen this year.
the more players the Spurs have on the roster, who can fill eventual holes caused by a trade, the better the chances for a trade are. players who can play/defend 2 positions (like Brown might be able to do) will be even more valueable.
This seems like a likely scenario. I can only hope that Diaw, with training camp behind him, will continue to provide an upgrade at PF and we can further strengthen this position at deadline. Looks like this is the team we're running with.....
:flag:

[Bruno]

You think that ends up being Fesenko?

Yeah, maybe. Fesenko would be good third string center if he is fine with playing a that little role. Otherwise it's asking for troubles because he isn't known for having a great attitude.

[Darkwaters]

The Spurs turned DG from guy who couldn't make the post-Decision Cavs into a starter.

And let's face it, the Cats are the league's farm team.

Nope, still the Grizzlies.

Just ask Mitch Kupchak.

[Darkwaters]

Good point but I think since they are in win now mode the last roster spot should be used to bolster the frontcourt or atleast add a player who contributes immediately. Unless he really wows people I think this kid would be around next summer.

We're already playing like 10 or 11 deep. How many more people do we think can immediately contribute? We're seriously running out of minutes.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

We're already playing like 10 or 11 deep. How many more people do we think can immediately contribute? We're seriously running out of minutes.

That might also be a factor of the compressed 66 game season. I'm thinking they may be back to a regular 8-9 rotation this year. There will be no B2B2Bs and the B2Bs will be much more spread out over 82 games.

[spurs10]

That might also be a factor of the compressed 66 game season. I'm thinking they may be back to a regular 8-9 rotation this year. There will be no B2B2Bs and the B2Bs will be much more spread out over 82 games.
This is true, but I'm thinking with the season being so long, Pop will be really managing the minutes of several players. I expect to see us playing fairly deep into the roster even without the inevitable injuries. After the obvious 8 man rotation, I see Blair, Mills, Neal, and Bonner getting some pt.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

This is true, but I'm thinking with the season being so long, Pop will be really managing the minutes of several players. I expect to see us playing fairly deep into the roster even without the inevitable injuries. After the obvious 8 man rotation, I see Blair, Mills, Neal, and Bonner getting some pt.

That's funny. I don't see Blair or Neal on the roster. They both make more than a million on non-guaranteed deals, and their spots have been effectively taken.

[spurs10]

That's funny. I don't see Blair or Neal on the roster. They both make more than a million on non-guaranteed deals, and their spots have been effectively taken.
Yeah, you're right. Blair and Neal have probably been made redundant. Will be interesting to see if Mills, Nando, and Brown see the floor much this season.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Yeah, you're right. Blair and Neal have probably been made redundant. Will be interesting to see if Mills, Nando, and Brown see the floor much this season.

Mills will likely be the primary backup to Tony. Nando and Brown will likely scuffle for minutes behind Manu,DG and Kawhi,Jack, respectively. They're going to need to be ready to perform if given the opportunity like DG did last year. Small ball could mean more opportunities for both. Brown could also grab some minutes behind Diaw at the 4 if Blair is in fact gone.

[spurs10]

Mills will likely be the primary backup to Tony. Nando and Brown will likely scuffle for minutes behind Manu,DG and Kawhi,Jack, respectively. They're going to need to be ready to perform if given the opportunity like DG did last year. Small ball could mean more opportunities for both. Brown could also grab some minutes behind Diaw at the 4 if Blair is in fact gone.
That about sums it up. Then, of course, there is the ever-present Matt Bonner.

[TimDunkem]

That about sums it up. Then, of course, there is the ever-present Matt Bonner.
His 15+ minutes are guaranteed.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

His 15+ minutes are guaranteed.

Hopefully, since he has a buyout next summer like Bruce did, Pop "Bowens" him this year.

[TimDunkem]

Hopefully, since he has a buyout next summer like Bruce did, Pop "Bowens" him this year.
We can only hope. :lol

[mountainballer]

a quick look at the rosters of the other Western teams shows where the field of activity for Brown will be. almost every team in the West has a compareable tweener, usually he's the first big of the bench.
(Jamison, Beasley, Morris, Robinson, Odom, Faried, Kirilenko, M. Williams, D.Williams, Patterson, Arthur etc.)
for all those guys the Spurs didn't really have an option on defense. (outside Leonard, who the Spurs need for other roles). if Brown does well in the role of a defender for those tweener forwards, he will get 20 minutes in at least half of the games.
btw. someone compared him to another Xavier player: James Posey. hm, that's interesting. Brown is even slightly bigger than Posey. Posey played mostly SF, but usually did pretty good defending the perimeter PFs as well.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

a quick look at the rosters of the other Western teams shows where the field of activity for Brown will be. almost every team in the West has a compareable tweener, usually he's the first big of the bench.
(Jamison, Beasley, Morris, Robinson, Odom, Faried, Kirilenko, M. Williams, D.Williams, Patterson, Arthur etc.)
for all those guys the Spurs didn't really have an option on defense. (outside Leonard, who the Spurs need for other roles). if Brown does well in the role of a defender for those tweener forwards, he will get 20 minutes in at least half of the games.
btw. someone compared him to another Xavier player: James Posey. hm, that's interesting. Brown is even slightly bigger than Posey. Posey played mostly SF, but usually did pretty good defending the perimeter PFs as well.

Uh, that "other" defender besides Kawhi who is going to get minutes and defend those players you listed is Jack.

[dunkman]

Solid addition, but tbh I still have some hopes Layden will help make a trade for an all-star PF at some point.

[TD 21]

a quick look at the rosters of the other Western teams shows where the field of activity for Brown will be. almost every team in the West has a compareable tweener, usually he's the first big of the bench.
(Jamison, Beasley, Morris, Robinson, Odom, Faried, Kirilenko, M. Williams, D.Williams, Patterson, Arthur etc.)
for all those guys the Spurs didn't really have an option on defense. (outside Leonard, who the Spurs need for other roles). if Brown does well in the role of a defender for those tweener forwards, he will get 20 minutes in at least half of the games.
btw. someone compared him to another Xavier player: James Posey. hm, that's interesting. Brown is even slightly bigger than Posey. Posey played mostly SF, but usually did pretty good defending the perimeter PFs as well.

Jamison and Odom are no longer tweeners and Robinson, Faried, Patterson and Arthur never were. That leaves Beasley, Morris, Kirilenko and the Williamses'. With the exception of Beasley, they all range from ancillary scorers to bordering on non scorers, though.

I think they've got higher hopes for Brown than that. In a best case scenario, I think they envision him eventually (the perfect storm is required for him to break into the rotation this season) becoming the primary backup SF and defending the likes of James, Durant, Anthony, Gay, Granger, etc.

That's why I said last week that him improving his three-point shooting is likely the difference between becoming a rotation player or remaining a fringe player.

[racm]

If anyone can improve shooting it would be Chip. Good thing the Celtics don't have him.

And knowing Pop he'd start Brown on the corner 3.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Jamison and Odom are no longer tweeners and Robinson, Faried, Patterson and Arthur never were. That leaves Beasley, Morris, Kirilenko and the Williamses'. With the exception of Beasley, they all range from ancillary scorers to bordering on non scorers, though.

I think they've got higher hopes for Brown than that. In a best case scenario, I think they envision him eventually (the perfect storm is required for him to break into the rotation this season) becoming the primary backup SF and defending the likes of James, Durant, Anthony, Gay, Granger, etc.

That's why I said last week that him improving his three-point shooting is likely the difference between becoming a rotation player or remaining a fringe player.

Jack might take exception to that.

I think his primary role may be backup 4. He's 6'8.5" 235, with great springs and length. If they can get him into the weight room to add maybe 10-15 lbs, he'd be a David West sized PF.

[Ice009]

Jack might take exception to that.

I think his primary role may be backup 4. He's 6'8.5" 235, with great springs and length. If they can get him into the weight room to add maybe 10-15 lbs, he'd be a David West sized PF.

Just watched an interview video that another member posted in this thread http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202958 and Sjax said that he doesn't work out at all in the off season. He said that he hasn't even picked up a ball except for that workout video that he shot with TJ Ford.

I don't know if he was messing around, joking, or what, but that doesn't sound too good to me if he wasn't.

[Wild Cobra Kai]

Just watched an interview video that another member posted in this thread http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202958 and Sjax said that he doesn't work out at all in the off season. He said that he hasn't even picked up a ball except for that workout video that he shot with TJ Ford.

I don't know if he was messing around, joking, or what, but that doesn't sound too good to me if he wasn't.

He was messing. Spurs players always come into camp in shape. Jack is one of the hardest workers on the team.

[Ross Parrot]

He was messing. Spurs players always come into camp in shape. Jack is one of the hardest workers on the team.

Doesn't Tim just lay around during the off-season? I read that in an interview somewhere. He just does...nothing...

[Fireball]

Doesn't Tim just lay around during the off-season? I read that in an interview somewhere. He just does...nothing...

Maybe 2-3 weeks of doing nothing after the playoff exit, but I am sure Timmy begins with getting himself back in shape earlier than most NBA players do. His work ethic cannot be questioned ...