PrintThe Education of Aaron Brooks
Game starting to slow down for lightning-quick guard
Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON - If you've seen the film The Matrix, you're undoubtedly familiar with the concept of bullet-time, even if you don't recognize the term. It signifies the way the movie's characters are able to slow down the world around them, to the point where they're actually able to perform heretofore unthinkable actions, such as dodging bullets - hence the term.
Well, if there's any sort of real world equivalent to bullet-time, Aaron Brooks is experiencing it right now. The game is starting to slow down for the Rockets' second-year point guard, allowing him to make smarter decisions with the ball while better utilizing his breathtaking quickness. It's a welcome change for a player who at times felt overwhelmed by the speed of the NBA game during his rookie season.
"When I first got into high school everything was really fast," says Brooks. "Well, I progressed over those four years and my senior year was my best year, just like in college. And my rookie year was exactly the same; everything was so fast you doubt yourself wondering if you’re good enough to play at this level. Now it’s just like a cycle to me. Every year I’ve improved, so I’m looking to do the same thing here."
He appears well on his way to doing just that. When asked about Brooks after Wednesday's practice, Tracy McGrady flatly declared, "He's ready."
"Him saying that, and all these guys instilling confidence in me, that’s probably helped me out the most," Brooks says. "I put in the work and have been playing hard, and they’re showing confidence in me, so I’m ready to go now."
He had better be. The truth is, Brooks' development could be crucial to the Rockets' success this season. Last year, when Rafer Alston missed time due to injury, the Rockets' offence too often resembled a rudderless ship, getting bogged down and beaten without its floor general directing traffic. So the question must be asked: If the unthinkable occurs and Alston goes down again, can Brooks step in and deliver?
"I think he has a chance to," says coach Rick Adelman. "But only time will tell, and only when you get him out there and see how consistent he’s going to be game in and game out. But he certainly has a chance to be that player for us.
"He’s just gotta keep working. He’s gotta figure out what his strengths are and how he’s gonna get to them. But he’s been doing a good job. He’s got a lot of skills. The biggest thing about Aaron is he’s got to learn how to be effective on both ends of the court with his size; how to use his size offensively, but also how to understand how they’re going to try to take advantage of him on the other end. But I think he’s developing really well.
"It’s going to be a process with him. It’s not an easy thing to do; you have to learn from experience. He’s only going to learn the more he gets out on the floor and goes through those situations."
Watching Brooks over the summer, one thing that jumps out at you right away is his much-improved ability to finish at the rim. Though he's not at the Master's level demonstrated on a nightly basis by someone like Tony Parker, Brooks has clearly made a concerted effort to turn himself into a force when driving the lane. These days, his frenzied forays to the hoop result in buckets more often than not, even when confronted by giants who force him to shoot from seemingly impossible angles.
The scary thing (for opponents, at least): He still has room for improvement.
"If he does anything that he needs to correct it’s that sometimes he takes off from the floor before he should," Adelman says. "He’s got to get one more dribble, get to the basket and make decisions there. But, again, that’s experience. Tony wasn’t great at it when he started but he developed it. I think Aaron will do that, too."
"You got to, being that I’m a short guy," says Brooks. "That’s the difference that sets Tony Parker apart from a lot of people is that – even at his size – with his quickness he can still finish in there with the tall guys.
"But also, when you penetrate it opens up your teammates and I think it’s been a lot easier because I’ve got so many weapons out there now. With Artest and Tracy, when I penetrate I don’t really have to worry about somebody helping off of those guys because that’d be pretty stupid."
The kid is catching on. And if he continues progressing, bullet-time won't merely be the way he views the game, it will also be the term opponents use to describe him - right as he blows by them on the way to the hoop.
Have a question for Rockets.com? Send it to Jason Friedman via email at: jasonf@rocketball.com.
