demens wrote:Where is this improvement you're talking about? He was good on offense last year. His biggest flaws where passing out of doubles and holding post position.
To be fair, this was the 1st time (just 2 televised games) that we saw Brook doubled. Didnt look like he handled it all that well. Also while he made some nice moves on Yao, he had trouble with Jeffries. Reverted into PF mode and starting driving from the perimeter on a few plays. While its nice that he is capable of doing that, i'd prefer he put Jeffries in the basket along with the ball, its Jerred freaking Jeffries, the guy is a good defender.....for sf/pf, he is not suppose to even be on Brook.
I'm thinking about making a thread about what will become of Brook this season. Kind of a part 2 to my Brook is a complimentary player thread from the other site. I think Avery might have a different role in store for him. Think Dirk....sort of.
Dude, I don't understand how you can't see the improvement, it's like night and day.
He has a plethora of new moves and scored in a variety of ways from all over the court.
He handled all but one or two of the double teams well and one of them he was trapped for like 4 or 5 seconds before he turned it over and NOBODY came to the ball to help. There were two options, hold onto the ball and hope like hell it doesn't get stolen/he doesn't turn it over, or burn a timeout at a non-critical time in the game.
He still seems to have a little problem with shot selection and forcing it, but you can't argue when they are falling more then they are missing and the supposed shooters on your team are going 3 for 9, 1 for 4 and 2 for 6 and the cutters are not moving enough or coming to the ball.
I would rather he's forcing some shots in the paint then other random scrubs like Trout isoing 21 feet from the hoop and shooting a J with a hand in their face.
He definitely was holding position better as well.
As for the Jeffries comment, he guards centers on the regular, it isn't something new or seldom seen, so if you're actng surprised you haven't seen him play the last few seasons.
After all that is said, he isn't perfect or anywhere close by any means, but again you seem to be having tunnel vision thinking young players are finished products after 1 or 2 seasons and you again are reverting to your preconceived notions about Brook. Your mind seems to be made up and you won't change it unless dude is showing his ass Tim Duncan style, which is unfair expectations.
Is it a guarantee he is going to be a star? No. But I fully believe he will.
Is he or will he ever be a legitimate 1st option? Probably not, but there really isn't such a thing as a 1st option big man anymore on a strong playoff or winning team in today's guard and wing, perimeter orientated and fueled league. Even most 20ppg + scoring big men aren't normally 1st options anymore, again, at least on winning or strong playoff teams.