No Subject

Despite minor arthroscopic surgery on both ankles last summer and a case of 
turf toe that sidelined him for a portion of last season, Brown tries to 
keep his 6-foot-2-inch, 191-pound frame in top condition. Last season, Brown 
started 55 of the 59 games he played and averaged 27.5 minutes, 2.4 
rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 6.4 points per contest.

But perhaps the best indication about how Brown prefers to play the game was 
demonstrated in the manner he injured his toe last year: He tried to dunk 
over Shaquille O'Neal and was promptly slammed to the ground. ''I'm a hard 
working basketball player, but not a smart one,'' Brown said.

''It's hard to get a professional athlete to put his ego aside for the team 
and ever since coming to the Chicago Bulls I've done that. I've put my 
basketball stats aside to better the basketball team. I thought with Boston, 
it was a perfect situation. The guys are ready to win. I think they're 
hungry to win. By me coming in and trying to do the little things, it always 
works out. Hopefully, from the second unit, it will rub off on everybody.''

Brown has played the same summer league team as fellow Celtic Chicago native 
Antoine Walker. And the point guard hopes his years in the NBA will benefit 
Walker and Paul Pierce.

''The most important thing I'd stress to them is to have the confidence to 
win every game,'' said Brown. ''We're going to be in position where we can 
win every game. That's the attitude we have to take on the court. We're 
going to have to have to do it as a team. We're going to win as a team. 
We're going to lose as a team. Once they realize that, basketball is going 
to become fun.''

Pitino may also have a future member of the coaching fraternity in his 
lineup. When his playing days are finished, Brown would like to coach and 
views Pitino as a mentor.

''I was more than happy to give him that [third-year] option,'' said Pitino. 
''One of my goals with Randy is to groom him as a coach.''

But until he permanently takes a sideline position, Brown will lead from the 
point.

''We don't have anybody who epitomizes what I call a leader, who has the 
virtues of a leader,'' said Pitino. ''Someone who when times are tough, 
stands up. When times are great, doesn't embrace it. ... The coaching staff 
loved him in Chicago. If you don't do things the right way, the coaches 
aren't going to have to let the players know it.

''That's one thing we're void of here. All great teams, if you do something 
incorrectly, certain players are going to say, `No, you can't do that.'''

But today, it will be one big ''yes'' from Brown and smiles from the 
Celtics.

This story ran on page E3 of the Boston Globe on 8/3/2000.
© Copyright 2000 Globe Newspaper Company.
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