P.J. Brown Back In Leadership Role

By Ken Payne
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The Bulls may have the same nucleus, minus Tyson Chandler, but they certainly have a fair share of unfamiliar faces. One of these new acquisitions, forward P.J. Brown, came along in the deal that sent Chandler to the limping New Orleans Hornets. Brown, a 13-year NBA veteran, brings a lot to the table including his years of experience and his size on the court. He also has the ability to be a force off the bench or an admirable starter. Named as the Bull’s co-captain, 6’11” Brown finds himself as an example setter on a team full of young, hungry players, a position he was accustomed to in New Orleans. Brown appeared confident in the team’s ability after Chicago’s final preseason game.

How do you think the transition is going so far with you coming over to the Bulls?

“I think it’s been pretty good. Preseason had been pretty good so far and, other than tonight, I think I’ve had a pretty good preseason. I’m still trying to learn a whole new system, a whole new philosophy, just trying to get comfortable with that. I’m still trying to get comfortable with some of the players. I’m trying to learn each of their games. But we’ve been progressing and I think we’re right where we want to be right now. We’re not where we want to be when everything starts clicking, but we’re where we should be right now.”

What do you think of this group of guys so far?

“They are just as advertised. I played against these guys on opposing teams and I know how hard they play and how well they play together and nothing has changed from that. These guys are hungry. They’ve had a taste of the playoffs and they are hungry to turn it up to another level. Hopefully, I can help them do that”.

Do you feel like you were thrown into a leadership role?

“I don’t know if the right word would be “throw”. But I think it’s something that was expected whether I was here or anywhere else. I’ve been around the league awhile, seen a lot of things. I’ve been through a lot of playoff battles, so I know quite a few things and I want to be the type of guy to help other players – be there for them, not just on the floor, but off the floor.”

Are you glad preseason is over?

“I think it’s been a good experience. I know for myself, for the veterans who have been around awhile, we don’t too much get into preseason, but for the young guys it’s a good experience for them to get in there and get a taste – to be in the heat of battle and see different competition. I think it was a good experience for our young guys.”

So you’d say it was a successful preseason?

“Yeah, I think it was successful. Were 6-2 and we still have some lapses. We had a lot of positive moments but still showed some defensive lapses and things like that - turnovers. We didn’t take care of the ball at times as well as we wanted to. I think as far as this new group of guys and us coming together and getting on the same page, I thin we’re alright right now.”

Coach Skiles said he wanted the preseason finale to be a confidence building game. Have you guys done that?

“I think so. I think the confidence has been growing the whole preseason. I thought tonight was a good chance for us, as a team, to come in with new hope and new confidence and to say we’ve been playing well this preseason. I think it was a good test for us.”