Bruce Brown: Rookie on the Block

Bruce Brown was a second round pick for the Detroit Pistons. It’s fair to say no one expected Brown to be as active this season as he was.

Season Averages for the Detroit Pistons: 4.3 Points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 39 percent from the field, 25 percent from deep. Started 56 games, played in 74.

The spotlight is fairly dim in Detroit. There’s no overhaul of media busting down the door after every game, nor are there too many national broadcasts. So Bruce Brown’s rookie season went relatively unnoticed.

Now, that’s not to say it was outstanding by any means, he wasn’t overshadowed by anyone, and maybe he didn’t exceed expectations. But, he certainly proved he has a future in this league.

Brown is far from a perimeter shooter, but he most certainly is a perimeter stopper. He was tasked time and time again with guarding the opposing team’s best guard. It’s also worth noting that he leads all rookies drafted in the second round in games started, with 56 out of 74 games played.

No, his shooting splits aren’t anything to get excited over. But a guard who attacks the basket with full force? Sign me up. There were few instances this season where Brown attempted a shot inside of 15 feet that didn’t involve contact. He is constantly putting his body on the line for his team.

The man just needs to develop that aforementioned perimeter shot, and we’ve got something here.

As the season progressed, as was expected he continued to improve. Down the stretch, as the Pistons were pushing for the playoffs, Brown notably had a performance against Memphis where, without context, you’d wonder why I would bother bringing it up.

But it was more than that. He was everywhere and he was playing his game. He finished with just eight points, two assists, three rebounds, and a steal. He shot 80 percent for the game and was taking high percentage shots. The Pistons overcame a 21 point deficit to remain in control of their own destiny heading into the playoffs.

At the end of the day, the Detroit Pistons have a work in progress on their hands. To profess to know more than our front office would be silly, but it’s important that you stay the course with Brown.

Allow him to form a more consistent jumper, and let him spot up in the corner. Because until the former happens, he isn’t exactly our first option for a pick & roll.

Look there are things that needed to be better. There were moments intermittently throughout the course of the season where his transition offense needed to improve, whether it’s just getting back on offense or even finishing at the rim.

Brown’s not a high volume shooter, but that’s not what the Pistons need him for. His defense is his staple. Jumping passing lanes, closing out on the perimeter, and keeping active hands at all time is what his role moving forward is with Detroit.

The fans have reasons to be skeptical but have far more reasons to be optimistic. Just wait until those corner three’s start falling.

Bruce Brown showed us something in his rookie season: That he belongs.

That he is the embodiment of a Detroit Piston.