A little over one year ago, Shannon Brown faced an uncertain basketball future. Now the backup point guard is playing in the NBA Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Two winters ago, Brown's rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers was set to expire, and the Cavs showed no signs of wanting to extend his deal. He was assigned to the NBA Development League's Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he averaged 20.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in five games before being recalled, then eventually traded to the Chicago Bulls. Brown was once again sent to the D-League before being traded to Charlotte.

Brown started this season with the Bobcats before being involved in a midseason trade that sent him to the Lakers. Brown took time out Wednesday to talk about his circuitous route that has him two wins away from being an NBA champion.

Q: It's been quite the last couple of years for you. What was the most difficult aspect of being involved in three trades and playing for four teams?

A: It's difficult. You definitely want to be able to find a home as soon as possible. Being with four teams in three years is something you have to be able to fight through and stay strong. No stability there. Family helped me out a lot and coaches. It's just being able to adjust wherever you go.

Q: Which trade really caught you by surprise?

A: I think whenever you get traded and you don't ask for a trade it catches you by surprise. I never asked to be traded. I just ended up in a trade. All of them caught me by surprise. It's just the nature of the business that I'm in.

Q: You were assigned to the NBA Development League twice last season. How did you look at those moves? Were you able to develop your game at all during those assignments?

A: I looked at it as an opportunity to get to play basketball. I went to the D-League for that reason. I wasn't playing on whatever team I was on for whatever reason it was. When I got a chance to go to the D-League I got a chance to get my skills to a high level and play against guys hungry to get to the NBA and hungry to get to the highest level there is. It was just a good thing for me.

Q: What were your impressions of playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers?

A: I was on a team with a bunch of guys that's hungry to get to the highest level to play. A lot of guys got a lot of dreams and ambition to get to the NBA. They worked hard and had a great coaching staff. Everybody cared about the game a lot

Q: When you were traded to the Lakers, what did coach Phil Jackson say to you about your role on the team?

A: I asked him what I could do to be able to get playing time. They told me to go out and play hard and bring energy and play defense, and everything will work out. I try to do whatever I can, being alert and bringing energy on both ends.

Q: You played a key role for the Lakers in helping them reach the Finals. How rewarding is that?

A: It was very rewarding. I've always felt that I belonged in this league and to be able to show that a little bit in the playoffs when everybody's watching, teams that didn't make it. It gave me a little lift to be able to go out there and display my talents to the world and to the teams that I was on.

Q: You haven't seen much time in the Finals. Is that disappointing? How do you stay ready for when your number is called?

A: You've just got to stay ready, that's all I can really say about that. That's what I've been trying to do my whole time in the NBA is stay ready for whatever opportunity I may get. Just got to stay ready.

Q: What are your thoughts on Thursday night's Game 4?

A: I think we've just got to come out and play with the same intensity we played with but at a higher level. They shot the ball incredible. They got some open looks and knocked them down. We just have to play hard on defense, play smart offense and execute our game plan.

Q: You've played with two of the NBA's biggest stars. Can you compare Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as teammates?

A: They're amazing basketball players. Amazing people. They both care and love the game a lot. The only difference between them would be their age. Kobe is older than LeBron. Kobe's got more championships, obviously, being in the league longer. Both have amazing abilities to play this game. I think they're doing it the right way. Kobe is more laid back than LeBron is as far as his personality. LeBron's got energy from somewhere. Kobe got energy too, but he holds it in and holds it for the special moments I guess you could say.