On Kwame, Booing, and Our Obligations to Sensitive Athletes
There's been a lot of banter over the last day or two regarding Kwame Brown, and how fans should be treating him. Many of you say he shouldn't be picked on. He needs to be supported because he's a sensitive guy, always aware of the reception he's getting from the home crowd.
Now I consider myself a generally empathetic, patient, and good-hearted guy. I help old people across the street, am kind to animals and children, and will occasionally well up watching the really emotional parts of movies (and not just at the end of "Miracle").
Fans should be careful about how they dispense their anger. They should use good judgment. If a guy is playing poorly but playing hurt, give him a break. If he's playing poorly because his kid's in the hospital, give him a break. If he's playing poorly but is averaging 35 points a game, it may not be the right time to boo- after all, a season or career of solid contribution should be considered when the Boo Devil is sitting on your shoulder and whispering in your ear (string together a few games of poor play and bad decision making and circumstances change). Guys who throw their bodies around with reckless abandon in an attempt to overcome a natural lack of talent also deserve a little slack. Rookies, too, assuming they have displayed a solid work ethic and practice habits.
If a player is dogging it? Boo away. Boo like you've never booed before. Think of clever, biting insults and hurl them at the court (but stay away from references to a guy's family- that's out of bounds), then take your seat with a smug, self-congratulatory smile and accept high fives from the fans sitting around you. Nobody who plays professional sports for a living should give anything but their maximum effort. It's an insult to all the people who work hourlies to pay their salary.
Does Kwame Kwalify in this category? I don't think so. I think he's trying, although he hasn't found that place within himself that would push his effort and commitment to the next level. There's another gear inside the guy that he hasn't discovered or is unwilling to use.
So that leaves performance. Should Laker fans get on him when he plays poorly? Let me ask you this- should they cheer him when he plays well?
I don't understand why Kwame Brown deserves extra sympathy from Lakers fans. The guy is a fifth year pro in the NBA, who has done very little other than disappoint. Fans shouldn't boo him for (lack of) achievement in Washington. That would be unfair. But he's built up a booable enough track record in his first 53 games in L.A. If Kwame Brown is playing like crap, I think it's okay for him to hear fans boo. He certainly hasn't done much to earn your sympathy (Full disclosure- I'm not sure I would. Honestly, I can't remember actually yelling "Boooo!" at an occasion that wasn't an elementary school Halloween party- certainly not at a sporting event. It's not me. I'm more of an "expletive laced tirade directed at the person sitting next to me" kind of guy. Different strokes for different folks, right?). Don't boo the first time he misses a rebound or bricks a layup. Don't do it if he's actually having a good game and makes a mistake. But if the guy is pulling one of his not-quite-and-let's-hope-it-never-becomes patented disappearing acts, boo away. You've paid your money, you've exercised good patience, you've shown good judgment by waiting for an appropriate time to express yourself.
From the little I've spoken to Kwame, he seems like a nice enough guy. He brings kids into Kwame's Korner every home game, which is a great contribution to the community. To paraphrase Tom Hagan in The Godfather, it's business, not personal. The fact is, if Kwame Brown wilts because the Staples crowd gets on him, he'll never become a good NBA player.
Sports is one of the only segments of society where poor performance is often rewarded with greater riches (Hollywood and politics are two others). If you sucked at your job, chances are you wouldn't have a phalanx of people surrounding and supporting you, trying to guide you through the tough times. You'd be fired. Why should sports be so different?
Call me insensitive. A callous, jaded member of the media. A cold-hearted soul.
You can even boo me if you want.
BK
BK,
Boo!
There's one fricken reason why we shouldn't boo Kwame, becase he plays worse when he's booed. It's that fricken simple. BK, I can't even believe you put up this post. What the hell?
We want Kwame to play well--he's on our team. So, why boo him if he doesn't play well when booed. It happened in DC. It happened here.
It's a simple matter of logic. Support your team in a way that supports them, not a way that hinders their play.
This is all so fricken stupid.
Why don't you just throw tomatoes at him if you think that will somehow fricken help?
Stupid discussion and stupid post.
Maybe that will help you write better in the future. Idiot.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 11:07 AM
Wow, nasty. I do think, if you are a real fan of said team, you should take into account the effect of your actions. Some guys rise up when the crowd is against them. Some go away, like Kwame. I would love nothing more than to see the boos spark a fire in him igniting his game, but that's not going to happen. Maybe we can just make our peace with the fact that, at best, Kwame is going to ba a solid defender and (someday) rebounder, but we'd better get our points elsewhere.
Posted by: Gerry B | February 22, 2006 at 11:16 AM
LOL...lets see what happens over the next few games. As I stated before, pay attention to the flow of the game when Kwame is in and out of the game. Pay attention to how many fouls he pick up when the likes of Smush Parker gets burned by his man. Pay attention to how many plays are actually run for the guy.
Again, Kwame, I believe is really, in his mind, an offensive minded player but he can't get to proving that point with Kobe and couldn't get it done with Jordan. I think he'll find his nich as a rebounder/defender while playing center. I think he'll score between 10 and 15 points off of missed and dump offs from his teamates. That, you understand, is without a play being called for him. I think he should play center and have Mihm come off the bench. The problem with that is that Bynum won't see much time. I think we should trade Mihm and allow Kwame to hold the center position and give Bynum the back up position for the rest of this year and for next year. After a year and half at center his confidence should be good enough to then move back to the power forward position and give the center position to Bynum.
As far as the booing goes, I suggest we watch more closely to all aspects of his game not just the amount of point he does or does not score. Lets watch how teams play him on the defensive end, when they screen him out and lets see how his teammates benifit from that...Lets watch the game more closely before we boo a guy who is doing exactly what the coach is asking him to do.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Kwame is a grown man who is making millions of dollars to play basketball. If he welcomes the cheers, than he has to be strong enough to manage the negative attention as well. The problem I think fans have with him is that he takes plays off. It pains my heart to see that crap.
"Kwame Brown needs to man up"
Go Lakers!!!!!
Posted by: Bobby Bellamy | February 22, 2006 at 11:28 AM
I'm all for the booing if it's well deserved. I was at a game last year where the crowd (including me) booed the whole team at the start of the 4th quarter because we were down some ridiculous margin to a terrible team (sound familiar?) I've also once been a part of a long standing NBA-wide tradition of having the whole arena chanting "Javie Sucks!" at a game 2 seasons ago when Steve the referee tossed Payton in the 1st quarter... that was damn fun.
If the performance is bad, then the boos are warranted. If he's getting booed after dropping one pass in the middle of an otherwise decently played game, then I'm against it. Yes, we all know that he drops a lot of passes, but if he's contributing in his strength areas, then I think the crowd shouldn't boo one or two bad plays. If anything, they should boo the guys who keep passing him the ball - they should know by know that Kwame isn't going to catch it unless you place it direclty in his hands along with a detailed map on how to get to the basket. Unfortunately I think a lot of his booing potential still comes from his reputation in Washington. Sasha, Luke and Slava have all played a lot worse games than Kwame, but they don't get the same treatment.
All that being said, I like Kwame. Obviously he's making a lot of dough to be very mediocre (at best), but like BK said there's still that chance for improvement room if Kwame can (or wants) to find it.
Posted by: Kevin McK | February 22, 2006 at 11:31 AM
This is from todays LA times...what more do you want from the guy?
That would seem to take Brown off the hook, the outcome always riding on Kobe, so I asked Phil Jackson what he wants from Brown — realizing that meant I'd actually have to go through the grueling task of talking to Jackson.
"I've asked Kwame to just run and hustle and do the things that change a ballclub's ability to defend and rebound," Jackson said. "The hustle has to be there to energize the team…. We have been really pleased with his defensive game. He's been a difference in a number of games that we've played, some of them we haven't won, but he's been a big difference in the games with his defensive play."
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Kwame's doing what he's told, but that's irrelevant.
Listen, I'd love it if everyone could throw fricken knives at the guy and he'd suddenly put together a 120 point, 80 rebound game, but that's not fricken reality.
Reality is that he wilts when he's booed.
Maybe he will never be a "great" NBA player. That's irrelevant. All that matters is that right now he wilts when he's booed. So, we need him to play well to win. He's a starter. So, by booing him you are hurting the Lakers and our ability to win.
That means you aren't a fan. You're a fan of our opponents. OR you just a complete fricken idiot who also thinks you're helping a kid by slapping him/her in the face when he/she turns her homework in late (or any other stupid travesty like that).
I don't give a frick that he's a millionaire and SHOULD be able to handle the pressure. He's a Laker. As fans we need to respect that he is part of OUR team and respond accordingly. He's not the enemy. The enemy are stupid fricken rich idiots who think that they're helping the Lakers by booing their starter.
The fact is they are spoiled rich Laker pseudo-fans who want to be "entertained" and don't give a frick about their team truly winning.
I've said my piece.
Personally, if someone booed Kwame next to me at a Laker game, I would probably slap them in the face and ask, "Does that help?"
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Francis dealt to Knicks for Penny, Ariza
Posted by: bruce sanchez | February 22, 2006 at 12:00 PM
C'mon why Boo the guy when he's on the Same Team. I mean in our beloved Lakers team. Booing him is just flat out ridiculous. He's now casuing any raucous in the locker room like he did in Washington. Kwame has been in good behavior all season long. He's willing to play night in night out. Numbers may not show it, but the coaches trust him. They guy is young and is playing consciously. He still gets nervous during the game that's why he drops and fumbles the ball every now and then. It will take time and a few more games before he gets comfortable. I'm sure he plays great in practices. He wouldn't be playing and starting the game if he's not capable of doing it. Philosophy knows him well....That's why he leaves him in the game unless he's get into foul trouble. I have to admit, I'm starting to like Kwame and what he can and will bring to the court in the upcoming games. Just watch. I see him averaging 10 boards and maybe 9-10 points a game.
Posted by: willn2win | February 22, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Mike-
That's an interesting quote from Simers' column, but you have to consider the context in which it was asked. Simers had just conveyed his conversation with Kwame to Phil, noting that Kwame thinks he's doing well, making progress, etc. At that point, Phil can do two things. First, find something nice to say about the guy, or second, say something like "Kwame said that? Is he watching game film?" PJ is smart enough to know what disagreeing with Kwame's assesment of his own play to a guy like Simers would mean. Jackson isn't going to load Simers' gun for him. His response was very measured. Don't forget, Jackson railed into Kwame for his effort after the Atlanta game. So I don't think he's really off the hook with the coaching staff.
Regarding the booing, again, I'm not saying fans should boo the guy. I'm not a booer. Frankly, I think it really sounds stupid. I'm just saying people have a right to do it under the right circumstances. I don't think that makes them traitors to the purple and gold. At some point all fans, even the most dedicated ones, should have a point at which the product on the court, either from individuals or the team as a whole, is unacceptable. Everyone sets their own line and has their own criteria. I laid out a broad outline of my "booable" offenses for those who are inclined. If Kwame falls in there, so be it. Even with the lowered expectations Lakers fans should have of Kwame (he's never going to be a dominating player in the grand tradition of great #1 overall picks) he can still fail to meet them. And when he does, he's open to criticism, just as when he exceeds them he should be open to praise.
Jon (assuming it's actually you), I think your comparison to booing a professional basketball player and slapping a child is a little over the top.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Kwame is improving. Give him time under Phil.
Is anyone else upset at the new text message voting that networks are doing? One poll: Who will be MVP this year 1) Kobe 2) Nash or 3) Dirk. Die hard Laker fans will want to text in a vote for Kobe and it costs .50 cents! They probably make $50,000 dollars for every poll! I cannot believe we live in a time where we are charged to vote for our favorite player. Give me a break! KCAL has the worst polls to try and get you to vote!
Posted by: Zen | February 22, 2006 at 12:07 PM
I don't care if Kwame sucks when he's booed. If he can't perform under pressure, then he should sit down and let Turiaf and Bynum eat his minutes. I booed him before and I will continue to boo him when he drops those easy chest-high passes over and over and over again.
Posted by: Ben C. | February 22, 2006 at 12:15 PM
The fact of the matter is that I don't need Phil Jackson to verify what I see for myself. The guy is playing decent defense. When we lose to teams like the Hawks by 4 points it isn't because Kwame did something wrong, it's because of 34 3 pointers. It's because Smush Parker can't stop his man. It's because Smush Parker and Sahsa insist on shooting 3's instead of driving to the basket. The Lakers don't lose because Kwame might blow 2 or 3 shots a game. It's because Brian Cook, Luke Walton, and Smush Parker are defensive liablities. It's because Kobe insists on shooting 3's when were still in the game and then all of sudden were not because of it. It's because Lamar Odom is deciding to be aggessive or not. Again, I remind you, the guy, Kwame, doesn't have play run for him. I think Kwame can be a dominating player if he were on another team that didn't have Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Gilbert Arenas as the main focus of the team. All these players want Kwame to sit back and set pics while they grab all the attention for their scoring abilities. Put this guy on a team that doesn't have a player who thinks he needs to score the majority of the teams points and he'll do just fine, as a matter of fact, better than fine.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 12:29 PM
Kwame is a talented guy who is capable of putting up big numbers. Just think back to his best year in DC, when he put up 30/10 games back-to-back, tooling guys like a pre-surgery Chris Webber.
Kwame's problems are all mental. While I wish he was made of sterner stuff, I agree with Jon. As Laker fans, our goal is for Kwame to help the team, not to punish him for underachieving.
If everyone agrees that booing hurts Kwame's performance, then why would any true fan who wants the Lakers to win advocate booing him?
Posted by: Chris Yeh | February 22, 2006 at 12:33 PM
BK,
Don't you think it bothers me when Kwame blows a layup, drops an obvious pass, or doesn't show effort? I could practically scream, and often I do--when I'm watching TV at home.
If I was at a Laker's game, I'm assuming the only people who would boo are either people who aren't familiar with what Kwame has going on or idiots.
He doesn't play well when booed. Period.
Let Phil communicate to him his mistakes, not us. When the fans do it, he melts. Tell me, just fricken tell me how that helps our team?
You deserve a fricken Nobel prize if you can figure out one way that we help the team by sabatoging an individual player's play.
Phil's the coach and he'll know how to get to Kwame a hell of a lot better than some idiot Mazeratti driving Beverly Hills loser who is upset that he's not getting enough sufficient entertainment for the cost of his floor seats because Kwame dropped a pass.
It is just like slapping a child to try and make her "better". Obviously it doesn't work. So why do it? Because the person meting out the punishment is a self-absorbed a-hole.
This whole thing makes me so incredibly pissed off. Hasn't anyone read Flea's blog entry on lakers.com? Flea is absolutely right.
Kwame has the potential to be an impressive player. We took a big risk with the Kwame trade. 9 million a year is a lot for this guy, but it could work out under Phil's direction. Clearly Phil and Rambis are thinking of this guy as a long-term project and I trust their judgement. The one thing that could screw this all up is if the fans turn on him too early before he develops his confidence.
Trust me, it could ruin everything. Then we're stuck with emotionally broken player, unable to be coached for 9 million dollars a year who is untradeable and the Lakers are screwed until 2008.
Does anyone here want that? Honestly?
I know it doesn't seem natural. He's been playing for five years, but you can tell by his interviews that he's still a kid in a lot of ways. He also came from a tough background. Give the kid some slack.
The fact is he is improving and he's playing pretty decent defense. Is he not scoring enough? Well, for me he's not, but not for Phil and Phil's the damn coach. What do you want from the guy? Why would you even consider booing him knowing everything we know about him as a person, a player, and within the context of Phil's system.
It drives me nuts. AAARGBH!
[BK I'm going to permenantly boo you as a result from now on. I'm sure you're big enough and professional enough to handle someone calling you out on every little mistake you make. Isn't that a great idea?]
Hey, boo the whole team if they're not doing well. It sends a general message. Boo Kobe if he screws up. He'll step up. Kwame won't, not yet. So if you do it, you're an idiot or a Hater or both.
I've said my part because I'm right [even if I sound like a crazed babbling lunatic in the process.]
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:40 PM
GO KWAME! YOU CAN DO IT PAL!
NICE BOARD! WAY TO HUSTLE!
GO KWAMMMMMEEEE!!!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Ben C,
You're an idiot.
Phil chooses who's in not you not Kwame.
Support our players and support our team.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Mike-
I completely agree with you that the team doesn't lose or win specifically because of Kwame. You're right about that. It's not like if you took his minutes away, they'd suddenly turn into a fifty win team. But he hasn't exactly provided a major boost, either. Kwame has played decent defense, at least man to man. His rotations are still pretty bad.
I don't agree with your contention that he could be a dominating player in a system that didn't have a dominating, Kobeesque scorer. I just don't see it. He has horrible hands, no creativity offensively, and what feels to me like a low basketball IQ. The nuances of the game don't seem to come naturally to him. And like I said, he seems to lack that extra gear that drives players to be great.
Could he get better with more time under Phil? Sure. Could happen. I don't think he'll ever become a dominating player, but as I've said, that's not the standard that should be set for him. Consistently good would be enough, and he's not there yet. I'll admit, I'm skeptical that he'll make it. But I'll be the first one to point it out if he proves me wrong.
I still don't think the trade to get him was a bad idea. It may not work out the way the Lakers hope it will, but he is/was worth the shot, considering the long term plan and what they had to give up to get him. Since they never would have given Butler the contract Washington did, it's one of those no harm, no foul deals for LA.
Good discussion. Thanks for posting.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:48 PM
BK,
Terrible job. Bad post. We should trade you to the New York Times for someone else.
Terrible analysis. What do you think this is J.A. Adande's blog or something?
C'mon!
Trade BK now!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 12:55 PM
stop overrating kwame.
Kwame doesn't play good because he has very little talent. This is a fact.His problems are not all mental.He can't catch any pass. He was the number one pick because the worst GM of all time 'jordan' selected him.
The fact is kwame is a bust .He isn't deserving his money.
Posted by: dido | February 22, 2006 at 12:57 PM
Boo away, Jon.
BK
(By the way, there are fans in crowd who have saved up for their one or two Laker games a year who are booing Kwame, too. It's not just rich guys with floor seats.)
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | February 22, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I think it's becoming clear that we need to trade BK for JJ because BK simply isn't stepping up anymore.
I mean, how many of you read his broken babble from last night's game? Half of it was nearly incoherent.
We need someone who can respond!
Put in JJ next time!
Trade BK now!
Boooo BK!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:03 PM
Admitably, Kwame has not produced as much as he is capapble of or should be by now. Booing him, however, is a terrible idea. He is a true example of the game being more mental than physical. He has all the phyisical capabilties in the world but the mental fascit of the game is holding him back. He can't handle booing. He recieved a ton of it in Washington and it has obviously messed him up quite a bit. Continuing to boo him would probably just destroy him for good. Hes playing decent right now besides the many dropped passes, but under Phil Jackson I think he'll definetely continue to improve.
P.S. to all my fellow Laker fans.. DO NOT BOO KWAME
Posted by: SLIM | February 22, 2006 at 01:06 PM
dido,
Here has never been a player in the history of the NBA who has managed to score 30 points and 19 rebounds in one game who is without talent. NEVER.
Kwame clearly has talent.
We need to be patient with him. No one likes being patient (Where's the fun and excitement in that?) but it is exactly what we need to do with Kwame, like it or not.
Booo BK! He doesn't know how to run a blog! He can't even figure out how to password protect a log-in ID! He must be somekind of idiot!
Trade BK now!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:07 PM
I agree with Jon. Some people are wired differently. I mean can you make a gay guy into a straight guy? Probably not. Kwame is the type of person who gets down when people are down on him, nothing wrong with that. Some people are just like that. Now that we know he's like that we should encourage him and not boo him. He's a integral part of the team. Why make fun of him when we should be encouraging him? Yes he makes millions, but he's a normal regular person like everyone of us.
Posted by: Frustrated Laker Fan | February 22, 2006 at 01:09 PM
I think all you guys are taking this way too seriously!!! It's a good post because it talks about something that's an important part to our teams future, and it sparks good conversation. That being said, we as fans can't just let Kwame off the hook because he's sensitive, and plays worse!!! Booing him now might actually make him better later.
I'm not saying we should boo the guy to death, I just think that if he makes a series of bad plays he deserves to get booed. I actually think it can help Kwame to get booed so he can get thick skinned and brush it off. If he doesn't learn to brush off the negative things, he'll never ever be a good NBA player. Like my man Jigga(Jay-Z for y'all that's not up on things) says "You gotta get that dirt off your shoulder" thats all booing should be to an NBA player...DIRT
Posted by: Asaad Weaver | February 22, 2006 at 01:18 PM
Support Kwame!
Ban BK!
The guy can't even password protect a blog! What the hell!
Trade BK now for Bill Simmons!
If we can't get Bill Simmons, I'll take JJ!
Anyone but BK, he can't do his job.
Boo BK!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:18 PM
Assad,
"we as fans can't just let Kwame off the hook because he's sensitive, and plays worse!!! Booing him now might actually make him better later."
That's just what people in Washington were saying a couple of years ago. Look what happened. Kwame fell apart and got arrested for drunk driving. Don't fool yourself pal that your selfishness actually helps the situation. You are wrong.
BK,
You'll bore partial responsibility if idiots read this blog and are inspired to start booing Kwame.
I'm serious, dude. This is something you should be held responsible for if things get really screwed up.
You should honestly think about what topics you put up before you post them.
This was truly stupid on your part.
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:27 PM
BK & Jon Kavulic,
Is this blog getting a little testy or what??
Anyway, if EVERYONE would look inside themselves I'm sure we all have at least ONE time when we wanted to Boo Kwame...he's 7 feet tall for god's sake. Dunk the basketball!!
However, I have to take issue with both of your comments on the booing issue. All sports fans are supersitious in my opinion. Everyone I know has a particular game day routine or whatever, they think will help the team. This may seem crazy as hell, but it's just in our make-up. With that beeing said, I think it has to be up to each individual Laker fan to decide when,if, to boo underperformance. As for me, I'm not a booer, more of the cusser that BK says he is, but at a few of Laker games over the years I have felt a GREAT need to boo the team. Once was even in the Finals.
So, I guess you can say I'm not a Laker fan or something, but for $200 a ticket, I'm booing, cussing, screaming, and nearly homicidal when the team plays poorly. Yes, I have issues..I'm a Laker fan.
Posted by: Dave | February 22, 2006 at 01:32 PM
Not my post:
"I love JJ. He is great unlike BK. Trade BK!! Please put JJ on my lap. Go Clipper!"
None of this crap would happen if that idiot BK could do his damn job and password protect this blog. Idiot.
Booo!
I'm just going to step back and let Khan take over. I'm tired of writing on a blog where ONE of the caretakers (BK) can't do his damn job.
How did a quality organization like the Times hire this idiot in the first place? Couldn't they find someone who knows the SLIGHTEST thing about computers? This is a COMPUTER blog, isn't it?
Terrible job, BK.
I'm serious. Terrible job.
Enjoy your time, Khan (aka BK).
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:34 PM
Jon K,
You are going way over the top with the boo BK thing. The difference between BK and his running this blog and Kwame is that 99.9% of the time, BK does a superb job (if you don’t agree go back and count how many posts and how much time you’ve spent on this thing). The majority of Kwame’s performances are absolutely sub-par in relation to the expectations that were set for him, and continue to be addressed with him. A man, and yes he is a grown man, with his size and athletic ability should be performing at a much higher and more consistent in this, HIS FIFTH YEAR IN THE LEAGUE. I don’t care if he shouldn’t of been the #1 pick, he was. I don’t care if he had problems growing up, I did too but I never screw up at work and blame my relationship with my dad. And what I REALLY don’t care about is the fact that he hears the boos and it makes “the iddy biddy baby sad”. WHAT THE EFF!?!? He needs to grow up, realize he is falling way short of the expectations his employers have set for him, or be man enough to take the unrelenting boos that each and every ticket buying Laker fan have more than the right to throw at him.
You and your hypersensitive coddling of this guy are ridiculous. The guy will never get it if everyone keeps telling him he’s okay and giving him $9 million a year.
If Kwame just can’t handle the boos and jumps of a bridge, does his salary count against the cap?
BK, you’ll hear nothing but cheers from this fan, thanks for the good work.
Posted by: Andrew Z | February 22, 2006 at 01:40 PM
As a fan, obviously it has been frustrating watching an inconsistent player like Kwame.
I wonder how playing with him is? When I have played any sport with a guy who was that inconsistent I have had to MUTE my internal drive to "yell at teammate". Everytime I pass to him a little voice my head says "I wonder if he will blow it this time". Consider this versus playing with your run of the mill poor athlete from whom you know exactly what to expect.
I recall a few games ago when Smush visibly cringed after Kwame, well, Kwameed away a good pass. For what its worth this may reflect how his teammates weigh in, at least on the passing issue.
Personally, like BK said, I feel that if a guy is underacheiving because of lack of effort then he should be booooed...heartily booed in fact. However, I agree that it is counterproductive (see JK's rant above) to boo a guy just because he can't catch a ball or because it is 'en vogue'.
Don't publically boo him folks, it is just like a bad hook up, it seems like a good idea at the time but you will regret it in the long run.
Oh yeah, and whoever thinks Kwame should start over Chris (Boooo!), is undoubtably crazy.
Posted by: Coopers socks | February 22, 2006 at 01:41 PM
By the way, am I improving anything right now, BK, by calling you out as an idiot who can't do his job?
Is it helping you or this blog?
I'm sure an idiot like you wouldn't be able to figure out how it was even if it did.
Go Kwame!
Posted by: Jon Kavulic | February 22, 2006 at 01:42 PM
OK...really what do you guys expect out of kwame???
it is not his fault that he got picked number 1 over all, nor is it his fault he got picked by mitch to be the lakers starting PF, also it is not his fault all the frustrated laker fans placed high hopes of him making a tranformation and propel this ball club to the next level. Now i don't see nothing wrong with booing a player when he does wrong, i mean, most of us who play in the local parks, leagues, high school teams and etc. get booed as the first mistake we make, that or get kicked off the court, so why should they be treated differently, afterall they are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money for doing what most of us would love to do for free. However it is not fair that kwame cannot live up to our expectations, we knew what we we're getting before he even set foot in a laker jersey, a strong PF with the capabilities to be a great player, yet one that can't make lay ups, free throws, and posseses a low basketball IQ. So when he misses a pass or bricks a lay up we really have no reason to boo, we all knew that's how he plays, nor do we have a reason to boo if he goes scoreless after finishing one of his best games of the season. Alot of us are guilty of booing kwame for not meeting our expectations, i say as long as he's trying we should support him, after all if his own fans dont, who will?..
Go Lakers...
1-0...
Posted by: TrueLakerFan | February 22, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Just for the record, when I woke up this morning and saw this post on Kwame...I said to myself...damn it! Why did this guy have to go and post this? Whether you agree or not...Kwame is sensative! And he does react to the booing so as a laker fan why make matters worse just because it's your right to do so?
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 01:46 PM
KWAME BROWN JUST NEEDS AN OFF SEASON WITH LAKERS INSTEAD OF WITH THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS. HE JUST NEEDS TO POLISH A COUPLE OF MOVES AND HE WILL BECOME A BETTER PLAYER. JUST STAY HEALTH KWAME.
BECAUSE IF WE LOSE KWAME THEN WE FALL INTO A DEPTH PROBLEM IN OUR FRONT COURT.
Posted by: Zakee | February 22, 2006 at 01:46 PM
Lets get one thing straight about Kwame Brown. He was drafted because of his offensive skill not his defensive abilities. So far he's had to put his game on hold because he's played with the like of Jordan, Rip Hamilton, Gilbert Arenas, and Kobe Bryant. So far he's been "coached" down. People are telling him to play a different game than what he envisioned for himself. Kwame, to this day, hasn't played to his potential because he's been instructed/coach not to. Phil Jackson; does he want Kwame to be the number 2 scorer on this team? No! Why not? Because he wants Kwame to play triangle offense, defense, and just plain hustle. All that is understandable but as a player a guy gets tired of doing all that just to watch your teammates hoist up 3's like they're crazy. Watch teammate gamble on defense and have him pick up the foul for covering for him. Despite all that...hussle your ass off...yeah right! I've played basketball all my life and that gets old real quick. Pull Kobe from the game when he starts hoisting 3s. Pull Smush when he flicks at the ball on defense and then gets burned by his man for doing it. Boo all that stuff! Boo all the times when Lamar Odom dribbles the ball off of is foot. Boo PJ when he puts Luke Walton on someone bigger and stronger than he is when the game is on the line. The day will come when Kwame will get his chance to be a scorer...to play his real game without all the coaching down philosophy he's been getting up to this point. Then we'll see why he was the number 1 pick in the draft.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 01:53 PM
You guys are using a typepad blog. According to the "features" list, you can password protect and even do IP banning:
http://www.sixapart.com/typepad/compare
So why don't you do it?
Posted by: Zen | February 22, 2006 at 01:54 PM
BK:
I mean this in all sincerity. Is there a way you can find out if Kwame Brown's vision has been checked. Not necessarily for the 20/20 type vision. Moreover, the depth perception type of vision check up. Could be a physiological problem and not necessarily correctable.
Posted by: David H | February 22, 2006 at 01:55 PM
What the hell happened to Jon K? He's starting to sound like Khan.
Posted by: Baller | February 22, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Chris Mihm? Yeah right the guy is good enough for us to lose. He looks good according to the stats but he does just enough to look good but for us to lose...If he's that good we'll do a lot better with him coming off the bench.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | February 22, 2006 at 02:23 PM
John K,
If it bothers you that much when people boo Kwame, all you have to do is cheer twice as hard to negate it. It is that simple!
Also If a guy's getting paid $9 Mils/year compared to a measly $9/hour, he damn well better know how to catch a ball. For the love of LA catch the damn ball Kwame!
Posted by: Paul | February 22, 2006 at 02:26 PM
Nick name for Kwame:
Swami Fumble Brown.
Posted by: khan | February 22, 2006 at 02:36 PM
You know Kwame is stinking it up when this topic comes up after one of his more solid games.
Unfortunately, we need this guy. He's the only one who can body up the big boys. I like the fact that no plays are run for him. He's a disaster waiting to happen when the ball is in his hands. In no way will Kwame ever become a dominant offensive player. He's showing he can become a defensive stopper though. A very important development for the Lakers and Kwame, considering Tim Duncan's status as the best in the league.
I wouldn't shy away from booing anyone. I'd boo Kwame every time he drops an easy pass or misses an easy lay-up. If he can't take it, he's weak. And a weak person is not who you want to have starting at power forward. Bynum's the baby on this team. There's no room for 2 babies. Especially a 5 year veteran baby.
A strong person would take the boo's personally and get into the gym and work on that hand-eye coordination.
Posted by: Rocky | February 22, 2006 at 02:39 PM
Think it's more constructive to boo Mitch.
Just my take. Booing is not going to motivate anyone. And who cares if you paid an insane amount of money to watch him fumble passes. You're the moron for paying that much money. Athletes shouldn't be perfect just cause you paid some money....
We got enough haters....
We need some supporters.....
Posted by: GF | February 22, 2006 at 02:41 PM
"What the hell happened to Jon K? He's starting to sound like Khan."
That's because it is Khan... you dumb !@#!@#
Posted by: frank1rizzo | February 22, 2006 at 02:43 PM
Booing should never be premeditated one way or the other. It has to be a spontaneous reaction from the gut. Anything else is a bogus boo (or even a bogus un-boo).
Just as Kwame will learn to play better in the next couple of years, he will also learn how to handle boos better. Like MikeT says, Kwame is closer to being part of the solution than part of the problem. Learning to play consistent D and use consistent teamwork are the Lakers' two biggest obstacles.
Posted by: Guity | February 22, 2006 at 02:54 PM
DO YOU SMELLALALALALLALALOOOO WHAT THE KHAN IS COOKING? -_^
Posted by: the Lamar Show | February 22, 2006 at 03:00 PM
To the poster who called Michael Jordan the worst GM of all time, I have two words: Isiah Thomas. I think Isiah is angling hard to be voted the Worst Sports Executive of All Time. Can anyone else explain the Francis trade today (not to mention everything else he's done since joining the Knicks front office)?
Posted by: Tully Moxness | February 22, 2006 at 03:14 PM
Kwame is a Pu$$Y. tell him to get his ass up and play some basketball. DUNK THE DAMN BALL DON'T LAY-UP.
WHY?
BECAUSE YOU CAN'T MAKE ANY 1-5 FOOT LAY-UPS! KWAME YOU SUCK YOU PIECE OF RIDICULOUS PILE OF MOO MOO CRAP!
Posted by: Kevin | February 22, 2006 at 03:18 PM