Semi OT: Brown reiterates patience - 6/12/05

[West Remy]

Brown reiterates patience

SAN ANTONIO - Pistons coach Larry Brown inadvertently reopened an old wound with second-year forward Darko Milicic.

Brown was asked a fairly simple question - what has Chauncey Billups meant to the team?

In a long, rambling answer, Brown somehow got around to praising the perseverance of Nazr Mohammed. In the process, he managed to send a not-so-cuddly message to Milicic.

Brown started talking about how Billups had endured failure in several NBA stops before getting to Minnesota and, then, Detroit. He said it reminded him of Mohammed, whom he coached in Philadelphia. And after praising Mohammed's tireless pursuit of success, which has landed him a starting role with the Spurs, Brown threw a dart at Milicic.

"I've got a young kid who is 19 years old (Milicic)," Brown said. "In the middle of last year, his No. 1 priority is 'I want to play.' And now we're in the end of a second year, his No. 1 priority is 'I want to play.'

"I don't fault it, but you've got to have a certain kind of special quality or character to understand, hey, no matter what the odds are and what things are going against me, I'm not going to stop trying to prove myself."

Milicic was asked by reporters Saturday if he felt forgotten by the Pistons.

"I have no idea. I'm still here," he said.

But he reiterated the impatience for which Brown has criticized him.

"The first year was good to watch and learn, but I think the second year I just lost one year," he said. "For me, I think the best way to improve yourself is playing time. I know I can play, but I'm not really a patient person. That's why I don't really like to wait. But I can't go back right now."

Milicic was asked what, if anything, Brown has said to him.

"Not much," he said. "Like everybody else -- be patient, wait and play hard. That's what I do every day, but nothing changes."

Milicic scoffed at the notion that young players like him would be better off if the NBA had a legitimate minor-league system.

"Never," he said. "I would never come there. I would never play there, because I'm coming from a much better league. I would never take that option. That's just how I feel. I would rather go home than go play in the (development league)."

Brown has a way of messing with kids' heads (Melo, Darko). With that said, why exactly does Cleveland want this man around a team full of young players? I don't see anything positive that could result from it. I never wanted Larry in Cleveland and the more I read of him, the less I want him here. From random bashings (you are asked about one guy but get around to bashing another), to an attitude that looks down on young players, Brown has obvious problems.

 

[LyXo]

I think Brown isn't worried about age. He's more worried about players that don't play defense, don't play for their team, only themselves. Tayshaun Prince is quite young, but more mature, and is a beast on defense. He's never been in the doghouse, and has always been a part of the rotation since Brown got there.

Darko, on the other hand, is probably overly full of himself. Sure, he needs a chance, but if he hasn't proven that he can play team ball and some defense, then he doesn't deserve a spot on the roster, in Detroit at least.


However, this does nothing to change my stance on Brown. I don't want him in our front office, I don't think his focus will be what the Cavs need. We don't need our young head coach to always be looking over his shoulder for Big Brown to come down and take over when he gets mad. We don't need our young, developing players be traded away for vets. We need someone that can coordinate with the head coach and make good decisions on the present and future of the organization while creating a stable environment. I don't think Larry Brown can do that.

 

[West Remy]

It is obvious Larry wanted Anthony but Dumars wanted Darko. What this tells us is Brown has a history of clashing with GMs. Obviously, Brown wants his way all the time and if Cleveland foolishly gives in to his demands, the Cavaliers will be full of players who play "the right way," at the sacrifice of our cap and young players for role players only capable of holding fort for a few years max.

What I dislike is Brown's ability to crush kids' confidence and I don't want that negativity associated with the franchise in any shape, manner or form. If you were a GM, would you want to work under Brown? Probably not. So Cleveland would have some lame duck guy under Brown that gets controlled and has to bend to Brown's will. Teribble situation.

 

[PIP]

Brown has a way of messing with kids' heads (Melo, Darko). With that said, why exactly does Cleveland want this man around a team full of young players? I don't see anything positive that could result from it. I never wanted Larry in Cleveland and the more I read of him, the less I want him here. From random bashings (you are asked about one guy but get around to bashing another), to an attitude that looks down on young players, Brown has obvious problems.

I DON'T want the guy here anyways.. but it wouldn't matter, because we all know who is running the show...

whatever "THE KING" wants, he will get.. the owner will cater to him more then larry brown...WITHIN REASON OFCOURSE...

LARRY'S act is starting to get very tired, and people are starting to notice that...

 

[6ft7 and bald]

LARRY'S act is starting to get very tired, and people are starting to notice that...

Too bad Dan Gilbert hasn't noticed it yet

 

[NarlCavs]

I wonder if Darko can ever live up to his draft position or ever be successful in Detroit. He has to become a big time player or he'll get tons of criticism in Detroit. Look at the 3 players drafted right after him. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. I really can't see Darko becoming better than them.

I wish this whole Larry Brown situation would just come to an end. It seems that Gilbert and his ownership group are the only ones who think Brown is the right choice to run the Cavs.

 

[E-Light]

Larry Brown stressing patience :chuckles:

 

[PIP]

I wonder if Darko can ever live up to his draft position or ever be successful in Detroit. He has to become a big time player or he'll get tons of criticism in Detroit. Look at the 3 players drafted right after him. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. I really can't see Darko becoming better than them.

I wish this whole Larry Brown situation would just come to an end. It seems that Gilbert and his ownership group are the only ones who think Brown is the right choice to run the Cavs.

i don't think that will be the case at all.. it's been well talked about how larry won't play the youngsters- thus the problems with larry hughes, tim thomas, nazr mohammed, jalen rose, travis best, darko, delfino (currently on the pistons) HE EVEN HAD PROBLEMS WITH DAVID ROBINSON (for other reasons) .. how in the hell can you have problems with DAVID ROBINSON ? the guy is probably the nicest superstar ever...

anyways, i don't believe DARKO will take any heat- because he was not used right from the get go- and it's been well documented.

the fans love him, they start calling for him in the 4th quarter of blowouts.. so he won't be taking the heat from the fans- cause they see what is going on.

same thing with the media- they know as well that he hasn't been getting a fair shake from the start....

hopefully he can reach the nice status that HINRICH has- the guy above didn't mention KIRK.

MY QUESTION IS THIS--- IF DARKO BECOMES A SUPERSTAR POWER FORWARD, BUT DOESN'T WIN A RING AS THE MAIN MAN, does the ring he won last season mean anything ? in terms of winning the ring that barkley, malone, and ewing never got -- while being the 12 man on the bench

JUST LIKE IF K. MALONE WAS TO have signed with the spurs this year and would have won a ring.

even though it technically counts, DOES IT TO YOU ?

 

[Karma]

You have to remember with Darko, he moved onto a contending team. The other rookies went onto lottery teams that had nothing to lose. Larry brown won a championship and is in the finals of the next. When you are in this position, you dont get the chance of bringing rookies through so much. I'm not saying Darko should or should not play, but you have to remember the different circumstances.

 

[Glen Infante]

JUST LIKE IF K. MALONE WAS TO have signed with the spurs this year and would have won a ring.

Thats funny that you mention that. The Spurs were trying heavily to get Karl into their roster and he just went ahead and retired. Poor Karl, he could have definatly gotten his ring this season.

As for Darko, I feel really bad for the kid. I wonder if the Pistons selected Carmelo instead, would he be in the same situation?

 

[King]

I still think Darko is going to be an elite player in the league. But I doubt he blossoms into the player he could be in Detroit. It will probably be a similar situation as Jermaine O'neal years ago. Once he goes to a team that can actually give him a chance I think hes gonna blow up.