Bulpett on Brandon Hunter

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Leave it to Grady O'Brien to turn him into a small forward.....

Boston Herald 	
Hunter eyes bigger game
By Steve Bulpett
Thursday, October 2, 2003 
When the Celtics drafted Brandon Hunter [news] with the 56th pick in the 2002 draft, they liked a lot about his game - the big rebound numbers, his physical nature. But the NBA reality for second-rounders generally entails a quick look at summer (and maybe fall) camp and an even quicker goodbye, so Shamrock types weren't all that bullish on their baby bull when he showed up last July. Especially with him being a power forward at just 6-foot-7. 
	
But like the ivy on the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, Hunter grew on the Celtics. Yesterday, he was at training camp with a guaranteed contract in his pocket and the attitude that he still has a lot to prove. 
	
``I don't mind having that on me, having that need to always prove myself,'' he said between sessions for players with three years or fewer experience. ``I mean, that's cool. 
	
``I started out last summer just wanting to come in and work hard. Then I got an opportunity to play more when Kendrick (Perkins) got hurt and I took advantage of it. I was ready. I think as I go along I'll make better and better impressions. Really it's a respect issue most of the time with your game. Once you earn guys' respect - coaches, players, media - everything else is A-OK.'' 
	
After some initial skepticism, the Celtics director of operations is on board with Hunter. 
	
``We drafted him because we liked him and we liked the potential that he had,'' Danny Ainge said yesterday. ``We saw the things that he did in college, and now we've seen him still be able to do those things against higher level competition. Brandon has a long way to go to prove what he can do against the best players, but he's intriguing enough and talented enough to wake us all up.'' 
	
Hunter's eyes are wide open, too. He asked for and received jersey No. 56 to constantly remind himself where he was picked and how much room he has to grow. 
	
``That's big right there, wearing that number,'' he said, ``because if I suck, then people will be able to say, `Well, that's why you got drafted that low.' But if we win and I'm helping us to go towards winning, then it's like, `Look how many people passed up on this guy.' I think it'll be good for me. As long as my body's healthy, I think I'll be fine.'' 
	
The coach thinks he's been more than fine so far. Jim O'Brien is even thinking of trying to find minutes for Hunter at small forward. 
	
``Brandon Hunter is a remarkable physical specimen who has worked hard,'' said O'Brien. ``He doesn't tire. What really surprises me about him is that . . . when he gets the ball 12 feet from the basket and faces up, there are not many people quick enough or strong enough to stop him from getting the ball to the rim. And I think he's got a solid enough 15- to 16-foot jumper to keep people honest. His challenge is when the veterans come in to see what he can get in a small forward situation. You know, can he defend a small forward? How many small forwards can he defend in the league?'' 
	
So after proving he can rebound with the bigger lads, Hunter now must prove he can stay with some of the smaller ones. Ah, another challenge. And if he does well the next couple of seasons and earns a cushy contract, what will he use then to motivate himself? 
	
``I'll think of something,'' Hunter said. ``I always do. I always have. . . . There's always motivation to get better and better. 
	
``After two years, I may get a six- or seven-year contract. Then it'll be trying to prove to everyone that I'm worth that contract. I always set goals. I think that's how you become a better player and person.''