Shannon Brown Discusses Season

Lost One · Aug 4, 2009

There was a question Shannon Brown was unable to avoid during his second annual week long basketball camp at Proviso East.

"When is Kobe coming?"

Brown had bad news for the 350 campers between the ages of 8 and 17, and perhaps some of the coaches as well, who hoped Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant would make a guest appearance at some point during the camp.

"That was the most asked question," Brown said. "I had to tell them it wasn't going to happen. I don't know if they believed me."

Brown became a teammate of Bryant after being traded from the Charlotte Bobcats to the Lakers on Feb. 7 along with Adam Morrison for Vladimir Radmanovic.

The deal worked out nicely for the 2003 Proviso East graduate who played a role in the Lakers winning the 2009 NBA championship.

Brown is the third Proviso East graduate to be part of an NBA title winning team in the last three years.

Michael Finley was a starter on the 2007 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs and Doc Rivers coached the Boston Celtics to a title in 2008.

The second trip to the NBA Finals in a short three-year professional career was considerably more satisfying for Brown, who was the No. 25 selection overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2006 draft.

Brown, who played three seasons for Michigan State, didn't see a minute of court time in the NBA Finals during his rookie campaign when Cleveland lost to San Antonio.

The 6-foot-4 Brown had his playing time doubled to 13.1 minutes in the playoff run with the Lakers, averaging 4.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists. He had three double-figure scoring games and shot .480 from the floor.

"The great thing about this year is having a chance to play and contribute to the championship," said Brown, who was honored by the village of Maywood with a parade in his honor on July 18. "My first year I sat on the bench. I might have played five seconds.

"As soon as I got there I was welcomed with open arms and showed a lot of love. Everybody wanted to contribute and win a championship. The egos are put aside. (The Lakers) still had a bad taste after losing to the Celtics (the year before in the finals). Everybody wants to win a ring and leave their mark. There are players who have been in the league a lot longer than I have and never had this opportunity."

Brown said playing on the floor with Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza made it considerably easier to find shots.

"Kobe is triple teamed and Pau is double teamed," Brown said. "That means somebody has to be open. The system gave me a chance to show my abilities. I got a chance to just play basketball and it felt good."

Brown recalled as a high school and college player watching from a distance as Lakers head coach Phil Jackson won six titles with the Chicago Bulls.

"Now I'm playing for a coach who has won 10 titles," Brown said. "I would try to emulate what Michael (Jordan) and Scottie (Pippen) were doing in the back yard. Now I'm sitting on the same bench (with Jackson)."

Brown considered himself nothing more than "a throw-in" after hearing about the trade to the Lakers.

It didn't turn out that way with Morrison playing in only eight regular season games and none in the playoffs.

"The realistic side of the trade is I made the money fit," Brown said. "I had a talk with (Lakers General Manager) Mitch Kupchak and realized the Lakers really wanted me. They knew I could score, but they needed somebody to play defense against the bigger guards in the (Western Conference) like Deron Williams (Utah) and Chauncey Billups (Utah). This was the first time I knew what my role was. I think I surprised a lot of people with my basketball smarts. I don't know where I would be right now if I wasn't traded (to the Lakers)."

Brown wasn't sure what his future was in the NBA at this time a year ago, going on the free agent market after playing with both Cleveland and the Bulls in 2007-08.

The 2003 McDonald's All-American signed a one-year contract in August of 2008 with Charlotte and played in 30 games with the Bobcats before being sent to Los Angeles.

"I didn't know if I would even be in the NBA this year," Brown said. "Winning a championship was unbelievable and a blessing. I don't think a lot about my first two years. I don't think I understood what it took (to be successful in the NBA). I didn't understand why I wasn't playing and somebody else was. What did they have that I didn't have? I've learned a lot about the playing side and the business side the last three years."

Brown won't have such concerns this offseason after signing a two-year contract with the Lakers on July 7.

"It was a difficult decision," said Brown, who has played for four NBA and three NBA Developmental League teams in his career. "I turned down more money with another team (Indiana). I had to pray on it. It's one of those decisions you can not rush. We have another chance to win a championship, and I want to be back."
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http://www.pioneerlocal.com/maywood/sports/highschools/1698732,maywood-brown-080309-s1.article

I love Shannon Brown. Hopefully he's the first guard off the bench next year.

anique_24 · Aug 4, 2009

At least he makes up his mind about LA love quickly.

Anyway, I hope he improves on D since he's already good enough on his offense.

Big Frame · Aug 4, 2009

I miss Shannon Brown, guy was clutch.

Mamba · Aug 4, 2009

He should work his way above Sasha and Ears in the rotation.

anique_24 · Aug 4, 2009

Yep. He's faster than Farmar and has become a better shooter than Sasha. lol

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Shannon Brown Discusses Season

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