"One thing with developing a player, you just don't give a player minutes. If you do that, you basically lose your team. These players have gotta earn it," Brooks said.
"I've coached young players and your young players have to earn it and they have to earn it every day in practice. Troy has earned respect from the players by practicing every day and not saying a word, just keeping his head to the ground and keep charging ahead."
Brooks' suggestion that he could lose the team if he played Brown too much early on warranted a follow-up. The comments shed light on why Brown hasn't been playing for much of this season, despite him showing flashes previously when given the chance to play.
It turns out, Brown hasn't been playing solely because he doesn't have a consistent shot, turns the ball over or is overmatched defensively. Much of it apparently relates to the principle of paying your dues.
Brooks now believes Brown has taken his lumps enough to get some playing time.
"It's 60 games in. He's earned it. Players see young players and how they work. Players know the difference when you're giving guys minutes just because they were an early draft pick. You play a guy that earned it. As a player, that's what you want. You want to earn opportunities. And Troy has earned some minutes," Brooks said.
I don't necessarily agree with Brooks' methods, but at least he has a consistent methodology. Ultimately, Brown has learned that he's never going to be given anything without earning it, and the other players get the message as well. That said, I had a hard time with Ron freaking Baker getting minutes over Brown during the middle of the season. That was indefensible.
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