NBA Draft Flop, Michael Jordan's Alleged Setup Led to Earning $60 Million
Fresh Take:
"Draft me, and I'll show you what I'm made of."
High school sensation Kwame Brown made quite the impression on the Washington Wizards' coach Doug Collins during a pre-draft workout, convincing them to select him first overall in the 2001 Draft.
Bypassing college, Brown dived straight into the NBA with the world watching. A top pick teaming up with basketball legend Michael Jordan – , a man chasing one last title before riding off into the sunset as president of basketball operations. The stage was set for greatness.
However, the story didn't quite go as planned.
According to Brown, Collins and Jordan weren't big fans of playing the youngsters. Jordan, in his final hurrah, wanted a championship – and he believed that making it to the playoffs at 39 years old would do the trick.
Brown, a 6ft 11in center, shared a locker room with Jordan until his retirement in 2003. The experience shed light on two aspects of Air Jordan – his ruthless streak and unwavering dedication to basketball.
Despite a modest rookie season averaging 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds, Brown started improving. He once scored 30 points and pulled in 19 rebounds against the Sacramento Kings during his third campaign, but he rejected a five-year, $30 million contract offer.
Injury-laden disputes with teammates and coaches in his fourth season led to a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant, another demanding teammate, welcomed Brown to the Lakers' rebuilding franchise.
Brown played a significant role in Bryant's final two championships, though not on the court. In 2008, he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with Pau Gasol, who went on to help Bryant secure those two titles.
The former first overall pick then bounced around other teams – the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Bobcats, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Big3 league set up by Ice Cube before retiring in 2013 with a cool $60 million in career earnings.
Behind the ScenesKwame Brown’s NBA career was marked by significant long-term impacts, particularly as the first high school player ever to be selected No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft, a historical milestone that paved the way for other high schoolers to enter the league. However, Brown's failure to live up to the hype of a top overall pick garnered controversy and made him one of the most infamous draft busts in NBA history.
Despite the disappointments, Brown's career longevity demonstrates his ability to sustain a role as a journeyman big man. His career spanned over a decade, though he never truly reached the star status expected of a No. 1 pick.
Beyond the headlines, Brown's career had a lasting impact on the NBA as it welcomed high school players into professional basketball more frequently. He served as an early example of both successes and challenges faced by high school players in the league.
NBA Pulse:
- Top NBA Players of All Time: No Ring Edition: Several prominent names still seek their elusive NBA championships, with James Harden, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Karl Malone hopeful for a taste of glory.
- Greatest NBA Players Today: Keep up with the game's current talent, from Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama to the ever-ageless Kobe Bryant.
- Rich List: NBA Team Owners: Discover the influential business tycoons who own NFL franchises, from family empires to media moguls.
- Michael Jordan's Top 10 Scoring Games: Relive some of Michael Jordan's most extraordinary performances by counting down his top 10 scoring games.
References:1. En.wikipedia.org, Kwame Brown2. Bleacherreport.com, Kwame Brown career struggles stemmed from low basketball IQ3. Washingtonpost.com, The steep, disappointing decline of Kwame Brown4. Nytimes.com, A troubled No. 1 pick enters the Lakers' picture
- Sports discussions often blend the intrigue of football transfers with the drama of NBA basketball trades, as seen in Kwame Brown's move from the Washington Wizards to the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Despite his illustrious career in MMA, Conor McGregor has voiced his passion for basketball, hinting at a possible switch to the NBA resembling Kwame Brown's journey.
- As much as people reminisce about the golden era of Michael Jordan in basketball, they seldom forget to mention the impact of Ward and Brown on the MMA scene during the same period.
