I thought these quotes from Greg Popovich were interesting. He's talking about developing a young PG like Tony Parker or Aaron Brooks, how it's a process, and that he think Brooks has good potential. http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2009/03/getting_the_point_rockets_broo.html [rquoter] "It's as you watch a player react to those situations," Popovich said. "Does he make the same mistake over and over again? If that player stops making certain mistakes and starts making the correct choices in those situations, then you know you got something. "Before that, you have to make sure the guy can handle it, that he is a competitor, that he can handle the situation, that he can gain the respect of his teammates, that he feels that he in the position he should be in, would he take a big shot if he needed to, can he get the ball where he needs to get it. Those things almost come first. Obviously, Rick (Adelman) has decided this kid is competitive and wants to take on that task, because it is the toughest job in the NBA. He obviously decided he can handle that. That's the first step, seeing that in somebody. ... "People are always different, but it's in one way walking the line between letting a young kid have his head and show you his talents, and at the same time trying to make sure the young kid understands who he is playing with in the system and grow with that," Popovich said. "Sometimes, it's difficult to have them coexist." "In Aaron's case, he can shoot the ball, he's quick going to the hole, and a confident young guy who can get out there and do things. There are going to be other times Rick (Adelman) is going to want him (to know) the ball is going to Yao (Ming), or we're running this play, or the situation on the court. That's the teaching process there, to make sure the young kid understands game situations have a lot to do with winning and losing, and making the right choices based on what's going on on the court. "That process takes awhile, whether it is Aaron or Tony." ... "He is a wonderful young player," Popovich said. "He will have a great career in Houston." [/rquoter]
noticed this, too. i think pop was saying he believes that ab does have the competitiveness in him as the prerequisite to be a great pg, which is true. other than that, i don't read into it too much. i mean what do you expect him to say otherwise? that aaron doesn't seem to have a great future? i believe in bball some things can be taught and learned (like shooting touch), some can not - such as height, competitiveness, and court vision.
As much as I hate him, Pop is classy. Those were some classy things to say about a rival PG. I think he's right; people here just don't have any patience. They all turned on Francis, turned on Alston, and have turned on Brooks. About the only PG in the last 10 years that didn't get turned on by the fans at some point was Bob Sura.
a great pg is just as rare as a great center. i turned off on sf3 about 30 games into his rookie season, and i was right. although he's a great competitor, he's not born with great pg qualities. now i'm feeling the same way with ab. i think he's perfect in a bobby jackson in sacto type of role, but not a starting pg. but what do i know. adelman's got decades of experience in bball world, and i am just a fan.
Pops is masking me feel better. If Brooks is still the starter by the beginning of the next season, we'll just have to accept the fact that Adelman thinks Brooks has a higher ceiling.
Funny thing is...when Rafer was starting everyone wanted Aaron to start. Aaron starts about two games and people are missing Rafer and want Lowry to start. It's like the backup QB, most popular guy on the team.
With all seriousness though, WHY BROOKS WHY?! I didn't even have a problem with you going 1 for 48 last night, but the play at the end? Aye yi yi.
Some of you need to calm down with the AB hate. Brooks was aggressive last night and was involved in some good plays and in some not so good plays. Popovich's comments can be applied to Brooks whether he starts or comes off the bench. Regardless of what his role on this team will be making the right choices based on what is happening on the court will be a maturation process he will go through. Lowry will go through it too. I don't miss Alston.
yeah, i coach who has won 4 titles in 9 years all while helping develop a PG similar to the one we currently have would definitely be the last guy i listened to regarding opinions on on-and-coming PGs.
Yea but Parker was only what 18 when he came into the league, he had a lot more time to develop. Brooks is already 24 but we'll see what the future holds.
i'm still on the bubble about aaron. maybe greg wouldn't mind if we traded aaron to his team for parker then? lol
I don't think people understand Aaron Brooks is already in his prime. He came out of college in his senior year. It's just like Brandon Roy, he's already experienced and he has played enough years in College to reach his prime already.
4 years in college....Most of the players that come to the NBA like that do not have a lot of potential compared to the guys who come out of College out of 1 year or 2 years.
yes, I believe AB0 will become smarter with more experience. no, I don't think he will ever have the court vision of a great point guard NO - he will definitely never be able to guard anyone that isn't his size or smaller. so he is of very limited value to us as a PG.
AB's ceiling is a very poor man's Steve Francis. It's hard to imagine AB could develop into anything more than a 70% SF3 at his peak. both of them don't have the court vision to be a championship level PG, unless the team's talent at other positions is just overwhelming.
