I've changed my mind on brooks, I think he actually needs to hit the gym and really put on some muscle, it's really ridiculous that it is so easy to affect his shot just by doing litte fouls that won't be called by the refs in crunch time. 1. He has REALLY LONG ARMS so that when he dribbles the ball, the ball bounces really low to the ground, that's why he is able to dribble and move so fast. I think he is deceptively quick because of his great dribble, not his innate speed. There are many people who are quicker than him in the open court without the ball. So I don' think bulking up will affect his half court speed much, think tim hardaway. 2. It's real easy to do little fouls on him that affect his balance, if he put on more muscle, the little fouls would be more liable to be bigger fouls and he would make it easier for the refs to call fouls for him. 2. He would become almost acceptable as a defender, don't forget that it was Brooks on Miller that fueled Portland's run in the first place.
Well, he could bulk up, but he would probably lose some of his quickness, and since he's a shorter player, I dont see how that would benefit.
I really don't think he has a frame to put on a lot more muscle. he can probably comfortably put on 15 more lbs tops, then we get in the dangerous area. Players do eventually start to lost athleticism as they get over bulky. AB uses his athleticism as one of his main weapons against the bulky, slower guards.
brooks is fast enough to blow past guys but his handles aren't strong enough to dribble in the paint so thats why he loses the ball a lot or just picks up the ball when he's stuck.
Basketball is a lean man's sport. Reggie Miller survived. Light = quick. Bulk, be it muscle or fat will slow you down--look at Steve Slaton for the Texans.
i think he can make a jump shot instead of a running to the rim, he's fast enough to get rid of the blocker
Aaron has really added some muscle in the summer, therefore he finishes better in the paint this season. I just don't think he could ever be bulky enough to power through those bigger guards with such a small frame to work on. Yes I agree with you on the deceptive quick part. Aaron is special in his ability to change speed and direction but he still needs his speed to penetrate the defense, although not as much needed as in Devin Harris' game. AI has never put up a good FG% in his career yet he's still a great player. Chris Paul is another good comparison but can Aaron be as strong as Chris without losing too much speed? I don't know. I remember Chris Paul used to dunk on Dwight Howard in his early years and he's still the quickest player in transition so yes I think Chris is more athletic. Aaron is who he is and sometimes you have to accept that. With Yao/T-Mac (or his replacement whoever may that be) back in the line and better shot selection coming with accumulated experience, I expect Aaron to get better and more consistent. :grin:
No doubt there, although Slaton is reportedly playing through a possible nerve impingment that is affecting the feelings in his hands and arms.
He doesn't need to bulk up, just needs to read a book and get smarter. If he gets smarter, maybe he will stop running past the ball in the 4th qtr of close games.
The thing with chris paul or steve nash or all the elite point guards, is not so much their speed as their change of speed, they have the ability to speed up and slow down and really mess with the defense. Brooks has only one speed and that is 100%, he can't change speed because he is not strong enough to bump around in the paint, I am not asking him to be chris paul strong, but he should be tony parker strong at least.
He doesn't need to bulk up - but he could work on his grip and hops a bit. I noticed the biggest problem he has with his speed is controlling the ball. Maybe, and it's a maybe, a strong grip would help. The other thing is that he shots the ball from such a low point. I understand that's because he is worried about getting his shot blocked, but he also doesn't seem to get much air. He shots so far under that when he blows by someone he's actually shooting the ball from his waist instead of finishing high. I think some plyometrics would help him get that ball up higher and make it an easier shot.
Agreed. Putting on a lil weight will do him some good. he'll get stronger and faster if he does it right. That'll stop all the tick tack touch fouls that he complains about now he'll be able to play through them. 6'0 - 160 is skinny. 6'0 170-175 would be fine without sacrificing much as far as speed.