Boston Metro on Brown

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

As always; Showcase Him, Baby Showcase Him.....

http://www.boston-metro.com/page.php?pgname=sports_celts1009


Opportunity is knocking for Kedrick Brown, and he knows it. 

The Celtics first-round pick in 2001 out of Okaloosa-Walton Community College was selected because of his blazing speed in the open court. Along with fellow draftees Joe Johnson and Joe Forte, he would help form a support crew for starters Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker and create a new uptempo style for Boston basketball. 

But Johnson was traded to Phoenix and Forte was dealt to Seattle. And for the last two seasons, Brown has mostly languished on the bench, getting shuffled in and out of the rotation. He has started just ten games in two years with the Celtics, and averaging just 11 minutes per game. 

However, Boston made a concerted effort to pick up more speed in the off-season, drafting ultraquick point guard Marcus Banks and acquiring Mike James via free agency. Entering his third season, Brown likes the idea of an uptempo attack  especially if it means more playing time. 

"That's how I got drafted," Brown said. "That's the way we played in college. Coming here, I kind of got away from it. But now, we're going back to the running style, which is my style." 

Banks spent much of the summer playing pickup ball with the Celtics top-draft pick. 

"We have great point guards in Banks," said Brown. "I played with him this summer. Macus never gets tired  he's always pushing the ball. We pretty much know each others game by now. Coach is emphasizing [running] in training camp, so I think that will help me." 

And when he wasn't working with Banks, he's been trying to do whatever it takes to win some playing time. 

"I've worked hard this summer, and I feel 100 percent," he said. "I just want to try and earn playing time. We have a lot of guys at the two and three spots. I'm just going to try and earn playing time early and get on the court." 

Christopher Price