We usually describe players who have excellent physical talents but have not yet materialized on the court as “high-ceiling players,” and Moses Brown is just such a player.
The player from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is 7 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds, and he is good at mixing in the penalty area. He can grab multiple rebounds in a game, and at the same time has a good ability to defend the frame and finish the penalty area.
With his large size and good mobility, he was valued in college, so he signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019 as a draft pick. At first he didn’t get many chances to play with the Trail Blazers, but in 2020 he signed another two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, until the 37th game of the regular season, which is also the 17th of his career. After the game, the opportunity finally came before his eyes.
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In the Thunder, Brown showed his talent. In seven games over a two-week period in March, Brown averaged 29.8 minutes per game, 13.5 points, 13.4 rebounds and 1.8 hot pot results. Including 21 points, 23 rebounds; 19 points, 12 rebounds and 2 steals; 20 points, 10 rebounds and 9 free throws missed only 1 goal, and played a career masterpiece in the game against the Clippers, scored 24 Points, 18 rebounds and 7 amazing data.
The new club Mavericks witnessed the strength of Moses Brown on March 11, 2021:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln3lDP8YU_g
In Brown’s NBA career, his strengths and weaknesses were obvious. On the offensive end, he has excellent rebounding ability and finishing ability close to the basket. Because of his tall size, Brown is difficult to fight against, and he will also use his physical advantage to score in the narrow penalty area.
However, outside the paint, his performance is very struggling, not only lacks jump shot ability, even in his short NBA career has not tried to shoot a 3-pointer. At the same time, the free throw percentage is only 60.4% below the standard value. Brown lacks the ability to attack and score independently outside the penalty area. Even if he receives a pass from his teammate, he can only return it.
In 35 games on the defensive side, he can provide 1.2 hot pot. His 7-foot-2 height makes him a reliable last line of defense. However, actually observing the game, we can find that Brown often makes wrong decisions and often leaves the players he should be facing. His defensive awareness is not good, and it is easy for opponents to run out of a neutral layup or 3-point outside. Even with an excellent body and hot pot ability, the defensive awareness of the individual and the team needs to be strengthened.
forMoses BrownThe biggest problem
How much can I improve this offseason so far? It is very important for Moses Brown to learn the basic rotation of defense, train his space movement, and develop two or three stable offensive methods. These are all he must play in the Mavericks. The ability that needs to be demonstrated.
Head coach Jason Kidd has publicly stated that the team needs to work harder on defense, and Brown is one of the important figures who can be the core of the defense.
Even if the basic skills still need to be honed, it is an indisputable fact to have an excellent hot pot and the ability to fight against the tall players of the enemy team. The year-on-year improvement of personal and team defense will be an important key to whether Brown can survive in the NBA.
The Mavericks have Luka Doncic, Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and new assistant coach Jared Dudley who can help Moses Brown make progress on offense and add new colors to the game.
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Best case
Tyson Chandler has started to practice with Moses Brown in Frisco. According to Al Whitley, vice president of basketball operations for Texas Legends, Chandler has been helping Moses understand the concepts on the basketball court.
The Mavericks seem to see the shadow of former team center Chandler in Moses, expecting him to become a team that is not only full of energy, but also able to compete with those with many outstanding seniors, such as the Philadelphia 76ers or the Los Angeles Lakers. The occasional mid-range jumper can also make opponents dare not easily stay away from him when defending.
Although Brown still has a long way to go, it is not hopeless. If the benefits of his hot pot and follow-up after the pick-and-roll can outweigh his defensive deficiencies, then he will get 20-25 minutes of playing time.
Last season, Brown didn’t cooperate with guards for 80 minutes with the Thunder. If he can be on the court with the top pick-and-roll players like Luka Doncic, and do the pick-and-roll cooperation, he will definitely create a lot of scoring opportunities. Furthermore, if Brown becomes a qualified defender, he will have the opportunity to replace Dwight Powell’s playing time. If he evolves into a good defender, he will become a stable inside pillar of the Mavericks and play the defensive influence brought by Chandler in the past.
