The Oklahoma City Thunder’s two-way center may not be making soundwaves in the ‘Peake, but he has become one of the stars of the show in Orlando. The 7-foot-2 center has made plowing through defenders a routine in the bubble leading the Blue to a 7-1 start on the year.
Moses Brown made a significant case for Player of the Week honors in week one, tallying averages of 20.3 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks through the first three regular season games of play — falling just shy to Blue Coat’s forward Paul Reed who averaged 24.7 points and 11.1 rebounds.
The UCLA product didn’t let the snub make an impact, showed up even better for the Blue this week. Moses Brown commanded Oklahoma City to a 5-0 record this week, immersing the squad into the championship conversation — while thrusting Brown into the spotlight. Brown dazzled onlookers posting 19.8 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.3, and 1.3 steals in week two to garner Player of the Week honors.
What has been astonishing about the big man thus far has been tenacity on the offensive glass. In the last five games, 7.2 of his 15.0 rebounds have come off misfired shots, even offensively outrebounding the entire Rio Grande Vipers team on Sunday.
On the surface, some may make the case that Brown has only faced midgets (comparatively) in the Orlando — it may have some merit, but not really. Moses Brown’s best rebounding performance (20) happened to be against Fort Wayne’s 6-foot-7 forward Oshae Brissett last Tuesday, but against 7-foot-1 center Jon Teske, he snagged 10 rebounds and shot nearly perfect, finishing with 24 points on 12-of-14 (86%) from the floor.
Differences in team’s play has been something that the 21-year-old has adapted to early into the year. Against smaller bigs, he waits to feast inside off of dump offs and rebounds, while using his size to brush of defenders via backdowns. Against taller defenders, Brown’s style shifts slightly more towards screen setting, resulting in more open shots for the screen-man or Brown himself.
Moses Brown’s offense role has been limited to the paint thus far however it is a main reason as to why Oklahoma City ranks #3 in 3-point percentage at 36.9 — as his quick gathers and putbacks have forced teams to collapse inside — resulting in wide open jumpers. Defensively, Brown’s stalky frame has been a marvel, using his 7-foot-4 wingspan to cover ground well outside the paint, and still swoop in for the rebound to kickstart the offense.
Through eight games Moses Brown ranks 11th in points (20.3), 1st in rebounds (14.5), 1sts in offensive rebounds (6.6), 4th in blocks (2.5), and 6th in free throws attempted (3.9) bearing a sound argument as to why he should be MVP.