biba
01-13-2008, 05:27 AM
Closet Spurs spar on dunks
Devin Brown carves niche on roster with versatility as glue man
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008
http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/13744877.html?page=1&c=y
When it comes to talking about his players when the cameras and microphones are on, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is usually pretty straightlaced or downright vague, but always positive. It's bad business to be negative, and it's just not the coach's way.
Until it comes to Devin Brown, who is not related. Well, at least not by blood anyway. In basketball terms, they are indeed from the same family. And for the Browns, it's OK to rib your own.
Last week after watching Devin Brown throw down a few dunks against the Seattle SuperSonics, the coach couldn't help but have fun at the player's expense.
''When he starts going up for a dunk, sometimes in my mind I say 'noooooo,' '' Mike Brown said. ''Right when you are about to close your eyes you kind of peek and he barely gets that ball over the rim. I'm happy for him. I hope he keeps doing it, I just don't want him to pull a muscle or anything.''
''He said what?'' Devin Brown said. ''Man, tell him to go to the tapes. I've been dunking on people for years.''
''I don't know if you'll find
many tapes, especially from his University of Texas-San Antonio days because those games weren't on TV,'' Mike Brown shot back.
These two Browns might have Cavs' on their clothing now, but deep down they are both San Antonio Spurs. Which is why their relationship is different.
Devin Brown was added to the Cavs roster shortly before training camp, the Cavs only free-agent signing of the offseason. It appeared to be a minor one, a one-year deal for $1.2 million for a journeyman guard who did many things competently but nothing extremely well, including dunk.
Because of the type of player Devin Brown is and the style Mike Brown uses, it has been a key marriage as the season reaches its midway point this week.
Certainly no one could effectively argue that the Cavs' personnel moves have been a success of late and that more was needed during the offseason than a role player such as Devin Brown. Yet, his contributions so far have made it an important move by General Manager Danny Ferry, famously also a former Spur when both Browns were with that organization, too.
The stats are not all that impressive, Brown is averaging 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and shooting just 38 percent from the field. But his ability to come off the bench to play several positions has been valuable.
Other than LeBron James, the Cavs' reserves have been their greatest asset this season. Daniel Gibson has been the shooter, Anderson Varejao is the rebounder and energy man, and Devin Brown has been the glue man. Not only is he a versatile defender, his calling card when he was signed, but he sticks to the system.
When the offense stagnates, he drives to the basket. When the Cavs are on the fastbreak, he always fills the proper lane. When there is a defensive rotation needed, he's almost always in the right place at the right time. He has played nearly the whole season with a broken left pinky finger. It's crooked and swollen, and he tapes it up and continues playing without saying a word.
Earlier this season when Mike Brown was changing his lineups wildly, looking for a workable rotation, there was a period of time when Devin Brown rode the bench. He remained calm and cool, not creating waves like others in that position have this season. He waited for his chance and took advantage of it when it came.
Now, suddenly, Devin Brown, a last-minute signing without impressive stats or an impressive skill set, has become an indispensable part of the Cavs' rotation. And a target of jokes, good natured or not.
Devin Brown carves niche on roster with versatility as glue man
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008
http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/13744877.html?page=1&c=y
When it comes to talking about his players when the cameras and microphones are on, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is usually pretty straightlaced or downright vague, but always positive. It's bad business to be negative, and it's just not the coach's way.
Until it comes to Devin Brown, who is not related. Well, at least not by blood anyway. In basketball terms, they are indeed from the same family. And for the Browns, it's OK to rib your own.
Last week after watching Devin Brown throw down a few dunks against the Seattle SuperSonics, the coach couldn't help but have fun at the player's expense.
''When he starts going up for a dunk, sometimes in my mind I say 'noooooo,' '' Mike Brown said. ''Right when you are about to close your eyes you kind of peek and he barely gets that ball over the rim. I'm happy for him. I hope he keeps doing it, I just don't want him to pull a muscle or anything.''
''He said what?'' Devin Brown said. ''Man, tell him to go to the tapes. I've been dunking on people for years.''
''I don't know if you'll find
many tapes, especially from his University of Texas-San Antonio days because those games weren't on TV,'' Mike Brown shot back.
These two Browns might have Cavs' on their clothing now, but deep down they are both San Antonio Spurs. Which is why their relationship is different.
Devin Brown was added to the Cavs roster shortly before training camp, the Cavs only free-agent signing of the offseason. It appeared to be a minor one, a one-year deal for $1.2 million for a journeyman guard who did many things competently but nothing extremely well, including dunk.
Because of the type of player Devin Brown is and the style Mike Brown uses, it has been a key marriage as the season reaches its midway point this week.
Certainly no one could effectively argue that the Cavs' personnel moves have been a success of late and that more was needed during the offseason than a role player such as Devin Brown. Yet, his contributions so far have made it an important move by General Manager Danny Ferry, famously also a former Spur when both Browns were with that organization, too.
The stats are not all that impressive, Brown is averaging 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and shooting just 38 percent from the field. But his ability to come off the bench to play several positions has been valuable.
Other than LeBron James, the Cavs' reserves have been their greatest asset this season. Daniel Gibson has been the shooter, Anderson Varejao is the rebounder and energy man, and Devin Brown has been the glue man. Not only is he a versatile defender, his calling card when he was signed, but he sticks to the system.
When the offense stagnates, he drives to the basket. When the Cavs are on the fastbreak, he always fills the proper lane. When there is a defensive rotation needed, he's almost always in the right place at the right time. He has played nearly the whole season with a broken left pinky finger. It's crooked and swollen, and he tapes it up and continues playing without saying a word.
Earlier this season when Mike Brown was changing his lineups wildly, looking for a workable rotation, there was a period of time when Devin Brown rode the bench. He remained calm and cool, not creating waves like others in that position have this season. He waited for his chance and took advantage of it when it came.
Now, suddenly, Devin Brown, a last-minute signing without impressive stats or an impressive skill set, has become an indispensable part of the Cavs' rotation. And a target of jokes, good natured or not.