Player Outlook - Taylor Brown

[Samd2]

Special players

Every few years a special player shows up and plays on the hilltop. Some of them go on to a very talented future at Bradley or somewhere else and some fall victim to other outside influences. Parker, O'bryant, Hawkins, Phegley, Anderson just to name a few of the ones that made it. Taylor Brown is one of those special players. He just needs to put forth the effort and follow the leadership of JL if he does watch out MVC. If not he will end up on this board someday as a what if thread. Along with Granger, Thurman and some of the other wasted talent. Personally I think he will be a supporting member this year that will show spurts of " WOW !!! did you see that " and will brake out as a team and conference leader his junior year. Taylor has the talent and potential, no doubt.

and thats my 2 cents

[LG281]

Sorry Joe...I have to agree with my fellow posters. Taylor Brown is gonna be something special. He has all the tools and from what we hear...the desire.

I don't remember what game it was...but TB drove to the hoop, elevated, and then pulled off a beautiful reverse layup that faked the crap out of the two defenders around him - reminded me of watching Jordan.

Now I'm not saying he is the second coming but that play was enough to prove to me that "Peaches" has something extra.

[ser_solace]

Sorry Joe...I have to agree with my fellow posters. Taylor Brown is gonna be something special. He has all the tools and from what we hear...the desire.

I don't remember what game it was...but TB drove to the hoop, elevated, and then pulled off a beautiful reverse layup that faked the crap out of the two defenders around him - reminded me of watching Jordan.

Now I'm not saying he is the second coming but that play was enough to prove to me that "Peaches" has something extra.

I remember that game. It was in the MVC tourney, either the SIU or UNI game. Remember thinking, "whoa! what was that?!"

[SFP]

TB will start at the 4! He is arguably the most athletic guy we have and that is saying a lot with CR hanging around. If he works on his mid-range baseline jumper and adds a few pounds of muscle, watch out! The only reason he did not play more was because he played behind TW. He had one season practicing against TW and getting to know the system so I expect big time basketball from him this coming season. It would not surprise me that he leads the team in rebounds and second in scoring.

[braveatheart]

Taylor is better than your report indicated. Let us put what he did in perspective. Acording to Shuanguth's Production per 40 minutes thread last updated on 4/3/09 here is how Taylor ranked:

Points.......5th
Rebounds...1st
Assists.......4th
turnovers...6th...2nd among forwards and centers
blocks........4th
steals.........6th
min/foul.......3rd

As these numbers show, when he got the minutes he produced.

Keep in mind that Taylor did this as a freshman who sat out of basketball the previous year. We also all know how making the jump to D1 basketball can be a real adjustment for some. I would expect TB to be even better with his freshman adustment year behind him.

Also realize that the only reason TB didn't play more than the 9 minutes per game was that he played behind TW who was a senior and 1st team all-MVC.


Make no mistake, this kid can play. He will get his chance this year and it sounds like he is doing the off season stuff needed to really shine.

[electricmayhem]

To answer a few of your questions:

I watch and follow BU very closely. I write about the team because I went to BU and have followed the basketball team since I graduated. I wrote for some time for a weekly Peoria newspaper (you can probably figure out which one) - none of which really qualifies me to be an expert on the Braves.

I've watched a lot of basketball in my short time on earth, and this is what I see from TB.

1. He wasn't an overly productive high school player. Does that mean he won't be a good college player? No. I just see that there isn't a history of being the top guy at a program. Most guys at this level were HS All-Stars. Again, take it for what it's worth.

2. TB looked lost last year for a good chunk of his time on the court. Maybe it was freshman jitters, but he just didn't seem like he knew where he was half the time.

3. Admittedly, I haven't seen TB over the summer. If he bulked up and improved his game, then my prediction will be way off.

4. I just don't know that he is a true power forward, unless, again, he gains some weight and strengthens his upper body. It just seems like there is a log jam at the four spot with MK, JP, WE, and AT there... although I don't think AT will play much this season at all.

Again, take it for what it's worth. It's a prediction by a writer who is trying to spread the word on BU and who follows the program closely. I'll be doing predictions on all the players, so please let me know what you think. I appreciate the feedback.

[SFP]

WE and AT are not 4's on this team but 5s and MK and JP are freshmen and I'd be shocked but happy if they can really contribute from day 1. So this log jam you talk about is not there IMO. TB will be the starter and it will take one hell of an effort for someone to dislodge him. He is so active and has such a smooth game it will be real hard for opposing teams to match up against him. I also expect us to play a more pressing D which will allow him to get more steals and easy baskets.

[Braves4Life]

FWIW..... I happen to agree with a lot of what Joe says about TB. He is a great athlete with a lot of potential but there's just something missing in his game, IMO. Is it b-ball IQ? Lack of a jumper? Poor defense? I'm just not sure. I hope I'm wrong and he becomes our next superstar.

[electricmayhem]

FWIW..... I happen to agree with a lot of what Joe says about TB. He is a great athlete with a lot of potential but there's just something missing in his game, IMO. Is it b-ball IQ? Lack of a jumper? Poor defense? I'm just not sure. I hope I'm wrong and he becomes our next superstar.

I'm glad someone else sees what I see... I thought I was going nuts for a few hours.

For the record, I hope I'm wrong, too. I'd love to see TB become a 30 minute per night player and give us 12 and 7. I just don't see it this year.

[it's boogie time]

So you're basically saying that he won't improve, right? I guess you could be right. I applaud you for not submitting a fluff piece.

The Valley isn't that physical of a league, so I'm not too worried about him being pushed around. More inside guys flop than block shots in the Valley, unfortunately.

I thought Taylor Brown's mid-range shot was decent. Obviously, he needs to extend his game or get some better insides moves.

I think it holds true for any big guy on the Bradley roster - if you can rebound, you'll play big minutes.

[electricmayhem]

So you're basically saying that he won't improve, right? I guess you could be right. I applaud you for not submitting a fluff piece.

The Valley isn't that physical of a league, so I'm not too worried about him being pushed around. More inside guys flop than block shots in the Valley, unfortunately.

I thought Taylor Brown's mid-range shot was decent. Obviously, he needs to extend his game or get some better insides moves.

I think it holds true for any big guy on the Bradley roster - if you can rebound, you'll play big minutes.

I'm not saying he won't improve. I just think that JP is a better ballplayer than TB right now, and once JP gets adjusted, he'll be getting quality minutes later in the season. I just don't see TB as an impact guy.

Again, I hope I'm wrong.

[tornado]

FWIW..... I happen to agree with a lot of what Joe says.....

me too...and I love the extra exposure Joe is getting for BU..
thanks for the job well done.........
It reminds me of an adage that's a take off of the old saying
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

"If it's reported in Peoria, and nobody notices, then did it really matter..."

I think entities like BradleyFans, our blog, and Joe's Examiner site, are indeed making a difference..

as for one other tentative fact that might be going to make a difference...watch for an announcement soon, or check your mailboxes...

[Braves4Life]

....as for one other tentative fact that might be going to make a difference...watch for an announcement soon, or check your mailboxes...

Oh dear God. Please don't leave us hangin' T. The suspense is killin' me.......... I'll be watching my box......... closely

[electricmayhem]

me too...and I love the extra exposure Joe is getting for BU..
thanks for the job well done.........
It reminds me of an adage that's a take off of the old saying
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

"If it's reported in Peoria, and nobody notices, then did it really matter..."

I think entities like BradleyFans, our blog, and Joe's Examiner site, are indeed making a difference..

as for one other tentative fact that might be going to make a difference...watch for an announcement soon, or check your mailboxes...

I agree. The more exposure, the better. I've received emails from various parts of the country wondering about BU and their basketball program. It can't hurt at all.

You guys on this site do a great job, and I'm glad to have a partnership with you.

[tornado]

.... glad to have a partnership with you.

partners??....then we should all expect equal contact extensions and pay raises???