Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Decision clouds Brown's future in Washington
Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Wizards suspended forward Kwame Brown on Tuesday for the remainder of the playoffs.

The announcement came after Brown, coach Eddie Jordan and president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld met for about 10 minutes before the team's practice.

"We had some philosophical differences," Grunfeld said, "and we're putting those behind us and focusing on the job at hand."

Brown won't travel with the team or participate in any practices for the remainder of the season. The Wizards are tied with the Chicago Bulls 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 5 is Wednesday in Chicago.

"We're not going to get into specifics. We're going to do things a certain way. These players are committed to that," said Grunfeld, referring to the remaining players on the roster. "And those are the type of players we want around us."

Brown played only four minutes in the Game 3 victory Saturday, then didn't attend practice Sunday and Game 4 Monday. The team had said he was absent because of a stomach virus.

Asked whether Brown was sick, Grunfeld said: "He talked to our trainer and he told him he had a stomach flu."

Asked whether Brown was upset over a lack of playing time, Grunfeld said: "Everybody likes to play as much as they can. That's typical for the NBA."

The team's action throws into doubt Brown's future with the team. He turned down a multiyear contract extension last fall, which means he will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Grunfeld had previously said he would like to keep Brown. On Tuesday, he was more ambiguous.

"He's still part of our organization," Grunfeld said. "We'll deal with that in the offseason. He's going to be a restricted free agent in the summer, and we'll deal with that at the appropriate time."

A message left for Brown's agent was not immediately returned.

Brown has been a major disappointment for the Wizards since becoming the first high school player chosen No. 1 overall in the NBA draft in 2001. After a miserable two years dealing with the demanding Michael Jordan, Brown showed glimpses of his potential last season when he followed a 30-point, 19-rebound game against Sacramento with a 27 and 11 performance against Atlanta, but he often languished in single digits.

He averaged 10.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the season, just enough improvement for the Wizards to hope that his long awaited breakout was on the horizon.

But Brown broke a bone in his right foot during a pickup game last summer and started the season on the injured list. He played in just 42 games, starting 14, and was essentially a big-body role player off the bench. He averaged 7.0 points and 4.9 rebounds and was frequently booed at home.

Brown's numbers were much better on the road, a result, he claimed, of the treatment he received from the Wizards' fans. Gilbert Arenas even appealed to fans not to boo Brown before the Wizards' first home playoff game Saturday. The fans responded by cheering Brown graciously when he entered the game for his four minutes of play.

Hmm, seems like Brown will be available this offseason. Clearly, his value couldn't be lower. What would Washington want in return? Kurt Thomas?

sounds like a big baby to me...i can't stand players who put themselves before the team, especially when they're involved in the biggest playoff series that franchise has seen in years...if he can't take booing in WAS, he definitely won't be able to handle NY...forget him...he may have potential but he doesn't have the right mental makeup to be successful here.

Maybe he is pulling a "mini-Vince" kinda tank to be free from the Wiz.

Posted by Masterplan:

kurt for kwame? what's the catch? how can we do better than that for KT? we lose some production in points and rebounds, but get younger, more athletic, get someone over 6'9. seriously, if we can move kurt for at least a passable center we gotta pull the trigger before the other dude has second thoughts.

[Edited by - Masterplan on 05/03/2005 23:43:14]

i agree...but i wouldnt give up anything more.

Kwame value has really dropped. Doesn't washington have to make a qualifying offer first to keep his restricted rights?

I would trade sweets straight up for him. I would draft a big, and keep kurt for experience sake. Come trade deadline I would see where we are, and unless we are really in the thick of things, then I would move kurt then. The Wiz did well getthing Jamison and Arenas for nothing and can afford to move forward without Kwame.

One thing, NYC is a tough place to restart!

just a heads up they gave up a #4 pick (Devin Harris) to get Jamison. I dont know about giving them Sweetney. Maybe. I would rather use a guy like Malik, JYD or KT in a sign and trade. Give him a shot for 4 years. He's so young, if he ever grew up he would be a beast.

kwame MLE and that's it unless they want malik or jyd.

i have a feeling, after striking out with swift, that kwame may end up in new jersey.

I like Kwame. Anyone but Kurt. Kwame Brown is younger, and we need to get younger. Kurt is at a high point in his career, or was last season, so we need to trade. What are their stay comparisons? Can someone please post?

Good post, Nalod. Very true.

If the Knicks somehow got Brown, fans should be soo patient because he is really a kid. Look at how bad the booing of the Wiz fans affected this kid. He plays better on the road! If we did got him, we would have to see him as a project, but first of all a human project. By that I mean, you have to help him with any personal problem he has had so far. Help his human personal side and he will feel free to play basketball like he may want to do...