Connect with us

Pack in the Pros

Lorenzo Brown Cherishing NBA & D-League Opportunities

Published

10 years ago

on

Sliding on an NBA jersey means everything to Lorenzo Brown. It’s proof that his lifelong devotion, and everything he has sacrificed and devoted to this career, has come to fruition.

Brown is currently a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. But unfortunately, he doesn’t get much playing time (11 minutes a game). With Michael Carter-Williams as the starter and Tony Wroten Jr. as a solid backup, there isn’t enough minutes to go around.

So for the betterment of his career, Philly has sent him to their Development League affiliate, the Delaware 87ers, three times this year. After signing with the 76ers on Nov. 20, he played 15 games for the team. Philly sent him down on Dec. 26, recalled him on Jan. 6, sent him down again on Jan. 8, recalled him on Jan. 10, sent him down on Jan. 14, and recalled him on the Jan. 15.

While being demoted to the D-League is never ideal for a guy already in the NBA—especially so often—Brown has not allowed himself to become frustrated.

“It is just an opportunity being given [to me],” Brown said. “That is what I am taking it for right now.”

Rod Baker, head coach of the Delaware 87ers, is happy with the mentality Brown has kept throughout the whole process.

“His mindset for it has always been good,” Brown said. “He is a basketball player, and he wants to play. And this is an opportunity for him to play and work on his craft.”

With Delaware, Brown is averaging 19.3 points per game, seven assists and five rebounds over the seven games he has played this season., and he feels like the increased playing time allows him to prove himself. But the Sixers want to see more than just numbers.

Baker said the 76ers want Brown to prove he can play at a faster pace, as well as work on improving his defense. And so far, he believes that Brown is making great strides.

“First of all, he is an NBA player—he is more than good enough,” Baker said. “And I think when he is in the right situation, he is more than capable to play.

“But, again, it is going to come down to proving that he can play at a greater speed, and I think that he is figuring out that he can go faster.”

The more inconsiderate aspect of his assignments is the traveling. But fortunately, Brown says his teammates in Delaware make up for the inconsistency.

“The guys are really cool,” Brown said. “They are a young team as well, just like the Sixers, and they all come from similar background, basketball-wise.”

Baker said that the D-League experience has been beneficial for Brown so far because he has cared to hang out and get to know his teammates. But he is also showing phenomenal professionalism, staying after practice and learning his teammates playing styles and habits.

“Sometimes when guys come down [to the D-League], they kind of just look at it as a temporary situation and get in and get out,” Baker said. “Lorenzo was a good teammate. He wanted to know what we do and, as a point guard, where guys like to get in position to score.”

Hopefully, the rising and falling of Lorenzo Brown is over. But, for now at least, he is back with the Sixers, playing at the highest level of basketball. And it’s all he could ever ask for.

“”[Sliding on the jersey] is everything that I have dreamed of so far in my life,” Brown said. “I’m still just a rookie, and I am still developing.

“I am just trying to play my part and do the best I can.”

Related Topics:
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Pack in the Pros

Mike Tomlin’s Thoughts on the Steelers Drafting NC State’s Payton Wilson

Published

3 days ago

on

April 29, 2024

By

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin was ecstatic that NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was available for Pittsburgh to pick up with the 98th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“Man, we’re really excited about Peyton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the type of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skillset. He’s a fluid mover. He can run. Had an opportunity to lay some real up close eyes on him down there in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, we’re thankful we had an opportunity to get him. He’s got all the hardware that comes with some of those things that I described being a Butkus Award winner and so forth. We had to get comfortable with his medical and we brought him in on a pre draft visit. We allowed Our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort. And so from that perspective, man, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

“I think you could characterize it as surprised. I mean, he is an award-winning linebacker, Butkus Award winner. Had an opportunity to get really familiar with him down in Mobile as well. But the linebackers themselves weren’t coming off the board at that juncture. So sometimes they make runs on positions at different times and it hadn’t been a lot of linebackers to that point. I think what he was number five or so.” (Link)

“We’re really excited about Payton. When we turn his tape on, we see him making all the types of plays you need linebackers to make. He’s a volume tackle player. He makes plays in the passing game from a coverage perspective via interception and pass breakup. He gets after the quarterback in the blitz game. He’s got a very well-rounded skill set. He’s a fluid mover. We had to get comfortable with his medical, and we were. We brought him in on a pre-draft visit to allow our medical experts to really get a good evaluation of him. We talked to him about his injury history. We were at a place of comfort, and so from that perspective, we’re really excited about having him.” (Link)

Continue Reading

Pack in the Pros

Payton Wilson will Wear #41 for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Published

4 days ago

on

April 28, 2024

By

Former NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson, who was drafted by Pittsburgh in 3rd round on Friday night, will wear the #41 for the Steelers.

Wilson spent his entire collegiate career at NC State wearing the #11. He wore the #11 at Orange High School.

It will take some getting used to recognize him in the #41 jersey. Currently, Steelers Wide Receiver Van Jefferson is wearing the #11.

Here’s a look at other Pittsburgh players who have worn the #41.

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

Published

4 days ago

on

April 28, 2024

By

NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State PK Brayden Narveson Signs Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Titans

Published

5 days ago

on

April 27, 2024

By

NC State Place Kicker Brayden Narveson has signed an Undrafted Free Agent Deal with the Tennessee Titans.

In his one season in Raleigh, Narveson made 18 of his 23 Field Goal attempts for the Wolfpack, and made all 38 Extra Point attempts. Narveson made some history in his one season at NC State, kicking a 57-yard Field Goal against Duke, breaking the school record for the longest Field Goal.

Narveson ranked 4th in the ACC in Field Goals attempted (23), and 5th in Field Goals made (18) this season. He ranked 9th in conference in scoring (7.1 points per game).

Continue Reading