NBA - Sports Rumors

Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:01 pm EDT

Detroit's Kwame Brown excited about return to the East

By Joe Zedalis

Kwame Brown

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New Pistons center Kwame Brown, who officially signed his two-year $8 million contract on Monday, spoke to the media for the first time via teleconference on Tuesday. Here are some snippets.

On selecting the Pistons: "I am happy to be back in the East where I can use my size and defensive prowess more to my advantage than I could out West. I am excited by the way the team has embraced me. This is a class organization."

What did Pistons see in him: "I can't speak for Mr. (Joe) Dumars, but I think they see what a lot of people don't see. This is a team that takes pride in defense and they put a premium on players who play hard at that end. I think I am one of the most underrated defensive players in the league and this is a place where I can flourish at that end of the floor."

What has kept him from reaching his potential: "I could name all sorts of things, injuries, a lot of things, but I am not going to do that. The past is past and I am not going to disrespect my new team by saying anything that sounds like an excuse. I have a chance to rewrite my own legacy. That's what I am setting out to do. This is my home now."

How have you dealt with all the criticism: "It takes a whole lot to hurt me. I have heard it all and been through it all. I am only 26 but I have been through more than the average man can imagine. This is what we sign up for in this business. Your shortcomings are played up in the media and blown up 10-fold. People that base their criticisms of me from those things don't really know me. Anybody who has sat down and broke bread with me and gotten to know me, they don't have a problem with me."

Source: Detroit NewsNew Window

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140 Comments

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  1. Rickers
    1. Posted by Rickers Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    I actually feel sorry for the Pistons. Stupid, stoopid move.
  2. The Wiz
    2. Posted by The Wiz Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Kwame Brown was the best # 1 pick of this decade...he is a hall of famer for sure.
  3. Fluffy
    3. Posted by Fluffy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    I think this is actually a great move. This is a guy whos got something to prove. Dumars knows that and so does Brown. This is one of the moves by Dumars where i think people just need to trust him we will all see his genius in the end.
  4. Thomas
    4. Posted by Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:10 pm EDT

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    i mean for real.......kwame......arent there already enough kwame's causing problems in detroit ....for those who dont get it google Detroit+mayor
  5. satanicmajesty1967
    5. Posted by satanicmajesty1967 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    yeah, he's happy he's in the east where there aren't as many quality centers compared to the west.
    i love detroit and what they do. it's gonna be hard to watch this waste of real estate on that team.
    kwame is like a bank robber without the stickup note and the gun. gettin' paid for nothing.
  6. shaquille
    6. Posted by shaquille Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:11 pm EDT

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    they should sign shawn bradley also!
  7. Nick M
    7. Posted by Nick M Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    Of course he's happy. He shouldn't be in the league anymore let alone on a contender. Out of all the spots this has to be the best for him though. Kwame Brown is essentially ben wallace with slightly worst skills. Neither can score, jump, shoot free throws and arn't all that good on defense, but on a defensive oriented team like detroit he will look better. But he still can't catch the ball....good luck pistons haha.
  8. THE GOAT
    8. Posted by THE GOAT Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    lmao! good...cant wait till the Lakers meet them in the Finals...Sorry Celtics...But without Posey...even your own coach said its going to be tuff.
  9. albert s
    9. Posted by albert s Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:49 pm EDT

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    Is this his 10th time in six years hahahahaha!
  10. Harold
    10. Posted by Harold Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:51 pm EDT

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    Kwame is a big Bust. He has short arms and small hands and cant play a lick of basketball. He is timid and soft and Im glad he is no longer on the Lakers.
  11. Cardinals
    11. Posted by Cardinals Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    Did we just get a big stiff or is this a joke?
  12. TERROR SQUAD
    12. Posted by TERROR SQUAD Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:43 pm EDT

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    Wow I used to think Joe Dumars was a great GM. As a Laker fan I can tell from firsthand knowledge how bad this guy is. Get ready Piston fans for STONEHANDS!
  13. Ho C
    13. Posted by Ho C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:39 pm EDT

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    all the pressure is on kwame brown now and he typically doesnt do too well when that is the case. this is his LAST LAST chance. if he fails then its minimum money 20 games a season for him
  14. avarham a
    14. Posted by avarham a Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:59 pm EDT

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    pistons made the biggest mistake and this is coming from a laker fan. Oh yah when you have your first practice with brown work on some catching plays first before teaching him how to dunk. Lol i Feel bad for you pistons fans.
  15. Richard
    15. Posted by Richard Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    He has been 3 teams, and he stil under perform, what make you think piston gonna be better for him? No doubt lakers was way overpay for him, if he able to get more than 5million per year with piston, they are making terrible dicision.
  16. Anton
    16. Posted by Anton Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    "This time, this time man, i ain't gone cry if the fans boo me."
    Reporter: "Oh...because Kobe said you're, uh, sensitive? Like a girl?"
    "Whatever man, I got some nail filing to do."
  17. yo daddy
    17. Posted by yo daddy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:56 pm EDT

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    kwame butterfingers brown.. ooooh yeaaah.
  18. TJ
    18. Posted by TJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    I don't know what the pistons are doing, but alright give kwame a chance. Let's see if he can redeem himself by not causing 7 straight turnovers. He might even get into the starting rotation if McDyess or Sheed gets injured. Actually they have Maxiell and Johnson so I highly doubt that.
  19. Paul P
    19. Posted by Paul P Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:07 pm EDT

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    hmmm ... this doesn't seem to be the "big change", "everyone's on the block", "We're not afraid to make a move", I was expecting from Joe D. I guess I'd still rather have Muhammad that Kwame.
  20. up in smoke
    20. Posted by up in smoke Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    greg ostertag to sign with detroit also
  21. Luis J
    21. Posted by Luis J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    Good Luck Pistons this clown as he is the worst Number 1 pick ever!
  22. JB
    22. Posted by JB Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    I don't understand why everyone is hating on this deal. In a day and age that players like Darko and Varejo are asking for 12 million a year, you can't look at this as a bad deal. It's a very reasonable price for a true center. Just a few weeks ago, Diop got 5.8 mill a year...
    centers come at a premium, and this deal gives the pistons more flexibility to make a trade, as well as a more well rounded roster.
  23. BasketballFan88
    23. Posted by BasketballFan88 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    I was making fun of Kwame. But I feel like this guy hasn't been given a fair chance due to being drafted so high (having so much potential) I'm a Pistons supporter so I will root for Kwame. He has been a decent defender and he could be a ben wallace type player if he focuses on defending and rebounding. obviously he is far from such comparisons but for a two year eight million dollar deal I think it's a respectable offer for a big man. The league has a rarity of big men and the Pistons have to match up with Toronto, and the Sixers who have acquired big men. I hope this is another Pistons gem maybe something that could reallly help the team but chances are low.
  24. joe ferger
    24. Posted by joe ferger Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    I hope he makes the most of this great opportunity. While he will never be an all-star, he could actually learn from McDyess and possible put up solid backup numbers (6-8pts & 6 rebounds in around 18 to 20 minutes). Otherwise, if he is a flop, I don't see them resigning him in 2 years, or any other team willing to take a chance on him in 2 years.
  25. Lukasz K
    25. Posted by Lukasz K Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    You guys are retarded, Kwame has career avgs. of 7ppg 6rpg and 50% which is better then 70% of the centers in the east that most likely have a higher salary. Kwame isn't nearly as bad as people suit him for. He is a big C/PF that plays defense. His biggest flaw are his hands, making him turnover prone. Kwame will play a big role as a backup for both positions and look for him to emerge as one of the cheaper productive backups in the east.

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