PJ

[Atzar]

Throughout the latter part of the season and the first series of the playoffs, Sam Cassell was looked at as the biggest midseason pickup for the Celtics.  PJ Brown was sort of a "yawn" addition at the time - it was a good move in case somebody got injured, but aside from that it was looked upon as a very minor move.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but after seeing PJ leave everything on the floor night after night throughout the playoffs, I'm very surprised that nobody saw this coming.  He's been a fundamentally sound, high-IQ big man for a long time in this league.  Still, the attention was given to Cassell.  "He'll take the shot with the game on the line."  "He's been to the Finals before, we need that experience."

And that's completely right - nobody on the team other than Posey had been there.  That said, I think it's exactly that - or rather, the lack thereof - that has led to PJ's uprising.

He wants this.  Maybe more than anybody on the team.  This isn't just KG's long-deserved shot, or Paul Pierce's or Ray's best shot at the Hall.  This is PJ's last chance to be a part of history. 

He's 38.  He doesn't have a couple more years in his late prime like Garnett, Pierce and Allen.  That ship has already sailed.  So for him, this is his last chance - his only chance - and he's not going to let it pass without giving it everything he has left in the tank.  Perkins is likely going to be at less-than-full strength over the course of the Finals.  However, PJ's given us every reason to believe that he's is going to give us quality minutes in Perk's stead.  I don't see him letting this chance get away.

[Bahku]

Throughout the latter part of the season and the first series of the playoffs, Sam Cassell was looked at as the biggest midseason pickup for the Celtics.  PJ Brown was sort of a "yawn" addition at the time - it was a good move in case somebody got injured, but aside from that it was looked upon as a very minor move.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but after seeing PJ leave everything on the floor night after night throughout the playoffs, I'm very surprised that nobody saw this coming.  He's been a fundamentally sound, high-IQ big man for a long time in this league.  Still, the attention was given to Cassell.  "He'll take the shot with the game on the line."  "He's been to the Finals before, we need that experience."

And that's completely right - nobody on the team other than Posey had been there.  That said, I think it's exactly that - or rather, the lack thereof - that has led to PJ's uprising.

He wants this.  Maybe more than anybody on the team.  This isn't just KG's long-deserved shot, or Paul Pierce's or Ray's best shot at the Hall.  This is PJ's last chance to be a part of history. 

He's 38.  He doesn't have a couple more years in his late prime like Garnett, Pierce and Allen.  That ship has already sailed.  So for him, this is his last chance - his only chance - and he's not going to let it pass without giving it everything he has left in the tank.  Perkins is likely going to be at less-than-full strength over the course of the Finals.  However, PJ's given us every reason to believe that he's is going to give us quality minutes in Perk's stead.  I don't see him letting this chance get away.

Good topic, (TP) ... and while I agrre with much of what you say here, the reason we didn't see this coming is because he didn't play well for most of the regular-season time he was here, and didn't really start to add anything productive until the playoffs. Personally, I was much more excited about PJ coming here than I was Sam .... I liked him quite a bit the last time he played in the NBA and thought he would add just what we needed, and I've never liked Sam, (nor do I now). I was frankly quite disappointed in him and initially didn't want him to get much time, if any, in the post-season. He finally turned it on, however, and is playing like the PJ I knew then.

I have to take exception, however, to the comment that he may want it more than anyone. While I'm sure he's extremely appreciative at the chance at a ring, there's no way he can want it any more than Paul, who's carried this franchise on his back for over a decade and had this dream of a Championship Ring since he was a child, or KG, who carried his franchise as well, and has sacrificed so much for this opportunity. Paul doesn't even think about the Hall of Fame, he wants a championship ... period, and has longed for nothing as much as that. I truly don't think there's anyone on the face of the earth who want this any more than the Truth and KG.

[carlherrera]

PJ is actually decreasing the chances of the Celtics winning since he's taking away valuable minutes from the more productive Leon Powe.
In fact, many people have described Leon as one of the hardest working people in the team so I don't see why or how PJ would want to win more than Leon...

[TradeProposalDude]

bringing aboard pj was a genius move by danny. i dont know exactly whose idea it was at first. the story i've heard is that pierce and kg during the all star festivities in new orleans begged pj to sign for the minimum as a reserve big man. his shot has been a little inconsistent for my liking, but it's gone down when we've needed it the most. that cleveland game 7 shot up by 1 and desperate for some offense out of ANYONE was so huge... i fell out of my seat and was so relieved. and his work on the boards as well as individual D have been amazing at times, he was definitely a great pickup!

[Hrvoje]

PJ is actually decreasing the chances of the Celtics winning since he's taking away valuable minutes from the more productive Leon Powe.
In fact, many people have described Leon as one of the hardest working people in the team so I don't see why or how PJ would want to win more than Leon...