Kedrick Brown was soaring almost a year ago.

Then in his second year, the 6-foot-5 swingman was in the midst of a hot training camp when a high ankle sprain knocked Brown out of action for five weeks - and things spiraled from there.

The season passed him by and led to this week's dilemma. Brown, who started workouts yesterday with the rest of the team's rookies and players with three or less years of NBA experience, has come in with the tag of a great talent who has yet to develop.

He's one of the best athletes on the team, and an improving defender who guards Paul Pierce every day in practice. But people want to see the improved jump shot. Now that the C's are striving to run, they want to see the athlete finish off more plays - with more than just the occasional crowd-pleasing move to show for his presence.

``Right now, I feel like I have a fresh start,'' Brown said yesterday. ``I'm in the best shape that I've been in for two years. I'm healthy - 100 percent - and this feels good, because I haven't played 5-on-5 for a while.''

This is also the time when earning playing time begins. With Jumaine Jones added to the mix at small forward, and Tony Delk expected to fill a more concentrated role behind Pierce at shooting guard, minutes are going to be as precious as Red Sox playoff tickets.

Losing ground for any reason, injuries included, won't work this time.

``He needs to stay positive, and stay focused,'' director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said. ``I just really like Kedrick as a person. He's a young person who hasn't figured it out yet but is getting there. He needs love and encouragement, and he has to understand the magnitude of his situation. It's a tough business.