ORLANDO -- John Brown came into the final day at Orlando Summer League having not played a minute. But that didn't stop the 24-year-old from making one of the biggest impressions of any player on the floor.
A three-time All-Big South selection from High Point University playing for the Charlotte Hornets summer squad in Orlando, Brown was, like so many other young players at the Amway Center this week, trying to find a way to stick in the NBA.
The problem for Brown? He wasn't allowed to let his play do much of the talking. So he let his mouth do the talking instead. The affable swingman's running commentary throughout games became a source of entertainment. It's not just that Brown seems to have fun breaking things down and supporting his teammates, it's the delivery of his often funny messages that leaves both teammates and onlookers laughing in his wake. Brown's distinctive voice -- in the mold of a Flavor Flav type of hype-man who comes out to rev up crowds before a concert -- became one of the most memorable parts of the week.
"I've been trying to tell my family about it," Hornets big man Mike Tobey said. "It's just like when you hear him ... I don't know. It's something about -- you just automatically smile. I don't know how to explain it."
Happiness seems to be a common theme from people who have crossed Brown's path. In Monday's win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brown had those around him cracking up with his special variety of comments. After a questionable block/charge call went against the Hornets, Brown couldn't help himself. "Is that your nephew?" he asked the official. When the Thunder threw down a one-handed alley-oop, Brown was not impressed. "Who cares?" he huffed. Brown's dedication to his team, and his communication craft, is impressive.
It's also constant.
"Oh, I hear him," Hornets Summer League coach Patrick Ewing said. "I've been hearing him since when he came for a draft workout. He does not stop. He does not stop. He's always telling me he's ready whenever I give him an opportunity, so I hear him."
But the beauty of Brown's dedication, and at the heart of his quirkiness, is a team-first attitude that is respected by coaches and teammates alike.
"This is me," he said. "This is me, regardless if I'm playing or not. You can ask the previous coaches at High Point the same way. Once my time comes it will be the same and I know they'll do the same thing for me."
High Point coach Scott Cherry affirmed Brown's message. Cherry said Brown has always been 'talkative,' but he also noted that Brown was a basketball force during his time in school. After taking a redshirt season in 2011-12, Brown didn't leave the floor much during his four years playing for the Panthers. He averaged 19.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game as a senior.
"He wasn't [talking] like that during games with us because he was competing and he was a very high [level] competitor," Cherry said. "He was ultra competitive. He wanted to win every drill, everything that he did. In games, he became almost a little bit different, [like] Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Not that he didn't talk during games but he just went out and handled his business. He was out there to accomplish a task and he went out there -- he smiled every now and then during games -- but he was way more business-like when he was playing."
Had Brown not broken his foot on Senior Night in February against Winthrop, his own circumstances might be a little different today. Because of the rehab required, the 6-foot-8, 210-pounder was only able to work out for a handful of teams and he was trying to find his rhythm coming back from the injury.
He still managed to make an impression. Hornets personnel laugh about Brown's pre-draft workout in Charlotte. After an airball or a mistake, Brown would drop to the floor and do pushups as penance.
"At first I was like, what's going on?" said Tobey, who was at the workout. "But then, like, as I got to know him more throughout this -- I love it. He's doing pushups in timeouts and all this kind of stuff. That's just him and you got to love him for it."
As the first half in Monday's game was ending, Brown alternated between pumping up his teammates and yelling for more execution. After a particularly good play went the Hornets' way, he mixed in a celebratory dance straight out of the Michael Jackson playbook.
"It just eases the tension," Brown said. "I bet it gives the guys confidence knowing that someone's cheering them on constantly. I'm trying to talk as much as I can."
Having watched Brown grow during his time at High Point, Cherry understands the challenge his former star is currently facing. He knows how badly Brown wants to play, but he is confident that his communication skills will aid his development.
"It was hard for him at first, the first couple years, to be able to communicate properly with his teammates because he expected everybody to play at his level and be to his ability," Cherry said. "I had to sit him down and explain to him that not everybody that is on his team is going to be at the level he is at every single day. He competes and plays at a whole 'nother level. His motor is non-stop and he's a very unique individual as far as his competitiveness, and I wish he could get out on the floor and you could see. Every possession he plays like it's his last."
And if he's not playing, he's still trying to help his teammates.
"I remember someone was at the foul line -- he was trying to distract him," Tobey said. "[Brown's] like, 'His shirt's not tucked in! It's not regulation!' Some of the things he says, it's just like so funny. If I was shooting a free throw it would have messed me up. So I'm happy he's on my team."
Brown takes all of the praise from teammates and coaches in stride. But he wants to be known as a player, not as some kind of running side show on the bench.
How does he stay so positive despite spending most of the week on the sideline?
"I don't think about it," Brown said in a whisper. "I don't think about it [or] pout [saying], 'Coach put me in. I could be able to do it.' Once my name gets called, all I know is I better be ready."
Friday morning, in a half-empty gym in the Hornets' last game of the week, Brown finally got his chance. He struggled to find his groove, going 1-for-6 from the field, pulling down two rebounds and turning the ball over twice in 12 minutes of play. After waiting so long for his chance, Brown clearly was disappointed with his performance.
"Like a woman giving birth to a child and telling it to walk to the store," Brown said when asked what it was like when Ewing finally called his name.
His teammates, however, were there with encouraging words.
"Where's JB at?" Hornets Summer Leaguer Goodluck Okonoboh said as Charlotte came to the bench in the fourth quarter. ""Good hustle, bro."
The unity Brown helped form on the bench throughout the week was something Ewing appreciated. After pointing out how much he enjoyed the positive attitude from his team, Ewing specifically called out Brown for his unique contributions.
"I thanked him for his effort, his energy, his effort in practice and his enthusiasm on the bench," Ewing said. "Keeping the guys, either they're not playing or when they come out of the game, making sure they stay in the game. I love that about him.
"When he got his opportunity to play, he played hard, played with a lot of energy, played with a lot of effort. Which is something that he needs to do."
Brown might not recognize it, but he had a significant impact on his team despite a lack of box score results.
"He brings unbelievable energy every day," Tobey said. "Literally that's how he is all the time. It's amazing. I've never met anyone that has actually been so genuine as well. The energy he brings is phenomenal. Everyone loves him."
Like so many other young players, Brown walked out of the Amway Center on Friday uncertain about his future. His dream is to make an NBA team, but if that's not in the cards right now, he'll likely head to Europe.
"He's raw," Ewing said. "He needs to become a better shooter. He's not a good enough shooter right now. His effort is there, the intensity is there, but all you can tell him to do is just keep working on his game. You can't say it's time to give up because it never really is as long as you believe and you put in the work to get better at your craft, then anything is possible."
That's the belief that Brown is holding onto as he awaits the next step in his basketball life. No matter where he lands, Brown's positive outlook should be welcome, just as it was this week in Orlando.
"No matter what situation you're in, you can't let that change your attitude," Brown said. "Hey, I didn't get in (the games) as much as I wanted to, but I had a good time, cheered the guys on. Guys respect me, they talk to me, told me thank you.
"No matter what, just keep your attitude the same way. It's easy to be negative."