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A few years ago, Kwame Brown let go of all the pressure that went along with being the top pick in the NBA draft and never living up to expectations. It has worked out quite well for the burliest member of the 76ers. "You don't survive 12 years thinking about that," said Brown, who in 2001 became the first high-school player ever selected with the first pick in the draft. "I realized that I had outlived guys that were high picks. There were 50th picks that came in that were just solid. So I just modeled myself after the guys with longevity, and that's what I wanted to do. To be in this business, you've got to know your role and what you want to do. "Forget a pick. Forget expectations. You've just got to go out and do a job." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown 

One thing from Bryant recently disturbed me, however. Speaking of how he "almost won an MVP with Smush Parker and Kwame Brown on my team," Bryant added, "What was I supposed to do, pass it to Chris Mihm or Kwame Brown?" This reminded me of a similar statement from a former '90s era star. When asked by Fred Kerber of the New York Post why he was shooting so much, the former '90s era star replied, "What am I supposed to do, pass the ball to Jamie Feick?" That former '90s star was none other than Stephon Marbury, and Jamie Feick was sitting in the locker room 10 feet away when he said it. At least Bryant does his takedowns from afar. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Media, Kwame Brown, Stephon Marbury, Smush Parker 

Collins didn't mention any names after the Sixers rallied behind the strong play of Nick Young (team-high 21 points) and Maalik Wayns (18 points), but it was clear that he is talking about big men such as Kwame Brown, who looks to be north of 280 pounds, and second-year forward Lavoy Allen. Allen's conditioning is not where the Sixers want it to be, and missing three days of training camp last week while awaiting the birth of his child didn't help matters. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown, Nick Young, Doug Collins, Maalik Wayns, Lavoy Allen, Training Camp 

There are people who will read Bryant's comments and find them cruel or mean-spirited. But read 'em again. The part about Brown being one of the best defensive big men he has ever seen. He meant every word. "He was really quick. He understood defensive concepts," Bryant said of Brown. "He might have actually showed Andrew [Bynum] a few things, especially on screen-and-roll coverages and one-on-one defense." ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown 

Despite the number of seasons and NBA championships that have gone by, Bryant still bristles when he thinks of the 2005-06 season. “I almost won an MVP with Smush Parker and Kwame Brown on my team,” Bryant said before Wednesday’s 93-75 exhibition loss to Portland. “I was shooting 45 times a game. What was I supposed to do? Pass it to Chris Mihm or Kwame Brown.” Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Kwame Brown, Smush Parker, Chris Mihm 

Tom Moore: #Sixers Collins on Kwame Brown, whose 2-year deal became official: "He took a lot less money to come play for us. He wanted to be here." Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown, Doug Collins 

The Sixers announced Friday that they have signed free agent center Kwame Brown NBA.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

“Kwame is a good rebounder and someone who can compliment some of the other guys on our roster,” said Collins during a press conference Tuesday. “We felt very strongly that what our team needed to do was add size, strength, toughness, and defense in the post. NBA.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

The 76ers on Thursday got center Kwame Brown's signature on a contract that will pay him $6 million over the next two seasons, his agent said. "It's done. We signed today," Chicago-based Mark Bartelstein said when asked about the status of the deal that Brown and the Sixers agreed to last Friday Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Mark Bartelstein, Kwame Brown 

John Mitchell: Kwame Brown deal "is done." agent Mark Bartelstein. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown 

Brown, 30, agreed to a 2-year, $6 million deal on Friday, joining his seventh team. He played in nine games last season for Golden State before having season- ending surgery on his chest muscle. The move reunites Brown and Doug Collins, who was Brown's first pro coach when Washington made him the No. 1 overall pick in 2001. "Kwame and Doug have a relationship that I think really has grown over the years," agent Mark Bartelstein said. "It's a great fit … It gives Kwame a chance to play an integral role on a playoff team." Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Kwame Brown, Doug Collins 

Sam Amick: Agent Mark Bartelstein says free agent center Kwame Brown has agreed to sign with Philadelphia. Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

The Bucks have inquired about several other free agents, including centers Kwame Brown and Joel Przybilla and forward Carl Landry. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Kwame Brown, Joel Przybilla, Carl Landry 

Golden State has also expressed intrigue in free agent big man Jordan Hill. The Warriors are also keeping tabs on center Kwame Brown, who played well for the Warriors before a torn chest muscle knocked him out for the remainder of the seaso. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Free Agency, Kwame Brown, Jordan Hill 

The Hornets' second priority is acquiring a center and Bartelstein said he discussed the availability of Milwaukee Bucks unrestricted free agent center Kwame Brown and center Ronny Turiaf, who opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat on Saturday that would had paid him $1.2 million next season. New Orleans Times-Picayune

New Orleans Hornets, Free Agency, Kwame Brown, Ronny Turiaf 

The Bucks are keeping the door open to possibly re-sign unrestricted free-agent in-waiting Kwame Brown. Racine Journal-Times

Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

Asked about the Bucks’ chances of retaining the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent, Bartelstein said, “I know they like him, but we’ll see. I know there was a lot of interest in him by other teams before the injury.” Racine Journal-Times

Golden State Warriors, Free Agency, Kwame Brown 

Mark Bartelstein, the agent for Bucks center Kwame Brown, said his client is right on track in his recovery from a pectoral tear. Brown played in only nine games this season with Golden State, averaging 6.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Brown was part of a blockbuster deal in March that sent Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Warriors for Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh. “He’s rehabbing in Atlanta,” Bartelstein said. “He should be good to go in a couple of weeks.” Racine Journal-Times

Golden State Warriors, Kwame Brown, Injuries 

Chris Tomasson: Agent Mark Bartelstein said Kwame Brown will continue rehab on West Coast for month Said possibly could play for Bucks if they make playoffs Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Kwame Brown, Injuries 

The Bucks are trading center Andrew Bogut and veteran guard Stephen Jackson to Golden State in exchange for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and the expiring contract of Kwame Brown, according to league sources. It's the first big deal prior to Thursday's trading deadline. The 7-foot Bogut is moving on after spending his first six-plus seasons with Milwaukee, after being taken No. 1 overall in the 2005 draft by the Bucks. Milwaukee gets a shooting guard to pair with point guard Brandon Jennings, giving the team a potentially dynamic starting backcourt. Ellis has two years left on his contract totaling $22 million but he has an opt-out after next season. Bogut played in just 12 games this season before fracturing his left ankle in a game played in Houston on Jan. 25. It's uncertain if he will be able to return this season. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Trade, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson, Kwame Brown, Ekpe Udoh, Andrew Bogut