June 23, 2008

RUSTON - Although his numbers were very modest during the NBA Championship series, former Louisiana Tech great P.J. Brown might have been one of the most important factors in the Boston Celtics winning the franchises 18th NBA title.

That's a pretty big statement about a guy who had retired prior to the season after 14 solid years in the highest level of professional basketball.

Brown was enjoying retired life at his home in New Orleans when Celtic greats Paul Pierce and Ray Allen came for a visit while in town for the NBA All-Star game in February.

Evidently, Pierce and Allen were good salesmen as well as outstanding talents on the hardwood.

"They pulled me aside and asked if I would be interested in joining them," said Brown, who signed with the Celtics Feb. 27. "That probably made the biggest difference of all. They were down there for one of the biggest moments of their careers ... That meant a lot to me."

It would eventually mean a lot (such as an NBA title) to the Celtics as well.

Brown's role during the regular season was more that of an experienced, father-figure on the bench, serving as a role model and teacher for a number of the younger Boston players.

It was one he relished, according to Boston head coach Doc Rivers.

"In typical P.J. fashion, he said, 'I want to help. I hope I can help,'" Rivers said. "'If I'm a cheerleader every night, I'll do that. If I can play every night, I'll do that. Whatever you need, I hope I can do it for you.'"

Brown's credentials as a great defender and rebounder and his reputation as one of the NBA's good guys were what led the Celtics to his door during a season in which they were looking at going from worst (24-58 in 2006-07) to first (66-16 in 2007-08).

The three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team member was the perfect fit for a Boston team that had the marquee names in Pierce, Allen and Kevin Garnett. He wasn't looking for huge minutes or stardom; he simply wanted to help a great team become a championship team.

Perhaps his biggest contribution to the Celtics was mentoring the likes of Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis, Boston's two young post players who were getting their first real taste of postseason play.

"I'm not a vocal leader," Brown said. "I don't do a lot of hollering on the court. But I do try to lead by example. When I do have something to say to (Perkins and Davis), it's great because those guys are great listeners."

During the regular season, Brown saw action in only 18 games and averaged less than 12 minutes a game. However, his importance to the Celtics was evident as his minutes and production increased every step of the way during the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

The Winnfield native averaged almost 20 minutes during the six games of the championship series title run against the Los Angeles Lakers and came through night after night, averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds while giving that typical PJ Brown effort.

He was even more integral when Perkins went down with a shoulder injury during the series, thus minimizing his minutes and forcing Brown into a bigger role.

And in typical PJ Brown fashion - Brown was the recipient the 2004 NBA Sportsmanship Award - , he did it in the shadows of bigger names while never wanting to be in the limelight.

He just quietly went about his job.