It has been a demoralizing season for both the Los Angeles Lakers and their spoiled fan base, but Jabari Brown is a welcome addition to the Lake Show’s diminutive list of bright spots.
Fortunately, he will be around for a few more years as well.
Brown, the D-League call-up and former teammate of Jordan Clarkson’s at Missouri, has been signed to a multi-year deal. This isn’t too shocking after he managed to put up nearly 10 PPG on 50% shooting (45.8% 3PT) during his 10-game stretch with the team; not to mention his career-high 22 points in Tuesday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. His style, stature, circumstances – and name – are also reminiscent of another former Lakers role player.
Shannon Brown, anyone?
Like Jabari Brown, Shannon Brown was also picked up by the Lakers – seemingly out of nowhere – during the 2008-2009 season. He didn’t make a huge splash in his first year with the team, but went on to average around the same PPG as Jabari over the next two campaigns. Both players are also deadly from downtown and can take the ball to the cup, but the high-flying Shannon definitely has the edge athletically:
However, Jabari Brown isn’t playing on a championship-caliber squad; he’s playing on a Lakers team that would probably have their hands full playing some of the nation’s top college programs. Thus, JB has and will have more opportunities to shine with a shaky roster where most guys aren’t even signed through next season.
He also has more to prove.
Jabari, originally from the Bay Area, went undrafted and had to earn his keep in the D-League, averaging 24 points (including 50 in one game) and over two three-pointers per contest. There is certainly a special brand of hunger and work ethic that D-League players possess – stronger than some elite NBA players even – that seemingly never tires no matter how successful they become. While I don’t see JB growing into more than a scoring threat off the bench, I give him the nod over Shannon Brown due to the mammoth-sized Ruffles chip on his shoulder; he has his contract, but now it’s time to prove that he deserved to have his name called at last year’s draft.
Would you take Jabari over Shannon? Does Shannon really look like Chris Brown? Hit me @MarkAGavigan!
