Rather than hold his elbow down like most shooters, his juts up and out. And the funky stroke remains an issue, despite scoring like he has, despite being drafted just seven spots after his father, despite becoming a millionaire NBA lottery pick.

Brewer doesn't get it.

"I led the SEC in scoring," Ronnie said, "but the only thing they were talking about was, 'Aw, he can't shoot because his arm was broken in fourth grade.' I was like, 'Well, I broke it in fourth grade — it would have healed by fifth grade, or sixth grade or seventh grade.'"

Still, unfamiliar fans, won't-let-it-go media and even some teams that considered drafting him can't contain their curiosity about the bizarre-looking release.

"It came up (before the draft)," said Brewer's agent, Henry Thomas. "But we're not gonna mess with the shot."

Not that anyone really can.

"Anybody who looks at his technique who feels like they're into basketball will try to change it," Ron said. "I tried. It don't work. Believe me, it don't work. And the reason you don't want to change it: Because he makes shots.

"Anybody who knows realizes it's the finish that counts," he added. "And I tell him, 'Ronnie, they can talk about your shot all year long. As long as it goes in, there ain't nothing they're gonna say.'"

Actually, though, some do say something.

"Once I got older," Ronnie Brewer said, "everybody was like, 'Oh, you're the basketball player. I remember when you broke your arm. You didn't cry. I know you were in pain, though.'"

Revue opens

The Rocky Mountain Revue — the Jazz's summer league — featuring seven NBA teams opens today at Salt Lake Community College's Life Activity Center. See schedule on related link above.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com