Brown showcasing game with Maddox

Brown tries to make shoe fit

Brown tries to make shoe fit
Guard flashes footwear before showcasing game with Maddox

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

PHOENIX -- Blinded by the reflection off Tierre Brown's Nikes, Calvin Murphy decided he had to have a pair. They looked as if they were broken off a trophy. They were perfect for Murphy.

Brown, however, really couldn't help.

"I had to buy these," Brown said to Murphy's shock and horror. It turns out that Brown is not yet the sort of NBA veteran that shoe company's shower with gear. But Thursday, he had a chance to take a shiny step in that direction.

With Moochie Norris out with a dislocated pinkie and Steve Francis resting his tendinitis-plagued right ankle, Brown and rookie Tito Maddox split Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns, picking up much needed court time and a chance to compete for roster spots.

With Jason Collier scoring six of his 12 points and Oscar Torres scoring all 10 of his, the Rockets pulled away in the fourth quarter for an 85-78 win.

The rookie that stole the most attention does not have to worry about making the team. Suns teenager Amare Stoudamire bounced between breath-taking and merely sensational, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

But for the Rockets' point guards, every minute is still precious.

"Any minute I get is an opportunity I get to make the team," Brown said. "I've been in this situation before. I had to prove myself once. And now, I have to prove myself again."

Brown more smoothly ran the Rockets' offense, improving on Tuesday's sometimes frantic effort. He started and finished with six points. He had just one turnover in 23 minutes and played well defensively against Stephon Marbury.

"There's nothing like the in-game experience," Brown said. "Nothing simulates going against a structured offense and structured defense, having a coach in your ear, you listening and doing what they want."

Maddox especially needed game-time experience after sitting out all of last season when the NCAA ruled him ineligible at Fresno State.

Maddox often strayed from the Rockets' offense. He had all sorts of trouble against the Suns' defensive pressure in the first half. But he also showed the quickness and athleticism the Rockets covet in the backcourt, most clearly in a drive to the basket with 2:08 left for a three-point play that gave the Rockets a four-point lead.

He made a pair of free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win, finishing with nine points and six assists.

"I haven't been out there for a while, like a year and a half," Maddox said. "It's taking me a while to get in the flow of the game.

"I feel a lot of rust. You have to get used to the referees, to the offense, to your teammates. But the last time I played real basketball was 2000-2001. That's a long time ago, and it's a big leap to the NBA."