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TechnographIt's good to be home, again
By Ryne Nelson
Posted: 6/17/05 Section: Opinions
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His room is bare except for a wood closet supporting countless trophies from his childhood. There are no posters on his wall. His trophies are the only decoration.
This is Dee Brown before the national title game, the Sports Illustrated cover and the NBA Draft. This is Dee Brown before America knew his name.
This is Dee Brown at 17 years old.
"Tenacious Dee" reads the headline. I remember saving the paper when Illinois high school coaches and media voted Brown the state's 22nd Mr. Basketball. I thought, "This guy could be next!"
nnn
June 8, 2005.
ESPN's Andy Katz breaks the news.
Ten minutes into the first game of pre-draft camp Day 2, Brown fractured his fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He was trying to play the point.
In the next 10 hours, Illiniboard exploded with 81 posts, all basically echoing the same sentiments: "That stinks", "That's just HORRIBLE!", "I am just awestruck."
Northwestern Medical Center doctors completed his surgery. They said Dee'll be off the court for at least two months. Plain and simple. Case closed.
This weekend, Dee's story will be long over, right?
The Spurs host the Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Sunday; you can bet I'll be watching. And, in the solitude of his Maywood home, Brown will be tuned in as well.
For the first time in months, Brown will have the unexpected pleasure of relaxation. He can put back on the Detroit No. 11 throwback and watch basketball at its highest level.
The level he'll have to wait at least another year to reach.
Brown finally no longer has to worry about pressure, rumors or beef with his coach. And, most importantly, no longer does he have to worry about others worrying about him.
It's good to be home again.
Ryne Nelson is a sophomore in communications. His column appears on Friday. He can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com.
This is Dee Brown before the national title game, the Sports Illustrated cover and the NBA Draft. This is Dee Brown before America knew his name.
This is Dee Brown at 17 years old.
"Tenacious Dee" reads the headline. I remember saving the paper when Illinois high school coaches and media voted Brown the state's 22nd Mr. Basketball. I thought, "This guy could be next!"
nnn
June 8, 2005.
ESPN's Andy Katz breaks the news.
Ten minutes into the first game of pre-draft camp Day 2, Brown fractured his fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He was trying to play the point.
In the next 10 hours, Illiniboard exploded with 81 posts, all basically echoing the same sentiments: "That stinks", "That's just HORRIBLE!", "I am just awestruck."
Northwestern Medical Center doctors completed his surgery. They said Dee'll be off the court for at least two months. Plain and simple. Case closed.
This weekend, Dee's story will be long over, right?
The Spurs host the Pistons in Game 5 of the NBA Finals Sunday; you can bet I'll be watching. And, in the solitude of his Maywood home, Brown will be tuned in as well.
For the first time in months, Brown will have the unexpected pleasure of relaxation. He can put back on the Detroit No. 11 throwback and watch basketball at its highest level.
The level he'll have to wait at least another year to reach.
Brown finally no longer has to worry about pressure, rumors or beef with his coach. And, most importantly, no longer does he have to worry about others worrying about him.
It's good to be home again.
Ryne Nelson is a sophomore in communications. His column appears on Friday. He can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com.
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