After the first five games, it was my hope along with many others' that Brooks would at some point in midseason supplant Rafer as the starter. Rafer is solid, but as CP3 has shown us size is a quantity that can be overcome, and Brooks' potential far surpassed that of Rafer. In the games since that start, Brooks has been much more inconsistent while Rafer's play was picking up, so it's too early still to think about Brooks being good enough to start. Let's see how he does through this stretch without Rafer and up until Rafer comes back. No matter how good he does I think Rafer should start, but like last year with Scola or even Landry going from the inactive list to solid rotation player, his time will come.
This might up being another Smith/Cassell situation Rafer will get his start cause of his experience, but Brooks might end up with more minutes cause of his offense
What's really impressive to my mind is the way he changed up his game. When he comes off the bench to a large extent he's there to score. As a starter though he did an excellent job of deferring to Yao/T-Mac and waiting for the shots to come.
The other explanation is that when his shots are off, or when he has a bad matchup, Adelman pulls him sooner.
There is nothing 'knee-jerk' about this thread. this isn't like Stevie came in during garbage time and wrecked shop, and now we are all clamoring for SF3 to start over Rafer.......AB>Rafer? has been a looming discussion for quite some time......AB could very well do the same, but one thing you can always count on is a Rafer Alston slump somewhere during the season. Rafer has been the weakest link in the Rockets starting 5 for awhile. We all know Rafer's attributes, his tangibles, intangibles, and we are all definitley aware of his shortcomings. I think the same can be said for Aaron Brooks, we are all aware of what he does and does not bring to the table. As fans, who are always wanting to see our team get better, I think its at least plausible to discuss the idea of starting Aaron over Rafer.....and personally I wouldn't mind seeing it in spurts. I think Rafers deficiencies outwiegh is proficiencies.....and down the stretch he will cost us more games than he will win us.
This is exactly what I was going to say. Rafer is better in the starting lineup, and he is a much better player when someone is pushing him. We're a stronger team with Rafer starting and Brooks coming in off the bench like a tiny wrecking ball from hell. I loved watching Brooks make Billups looks tired and slow so much last night, but Skip should still start when healthy.
I wouldn't call this knee-jerk either. Brooks has been playing great off the bench, but people worry about starting him due to his lack of size and defense against larger point guards. Furthermore people say that the offense doesn't function properly without Rafer at the helm. Both of those concerns were addressed in yesterdays game. Billups is exactly the type of PG you would fear Brooks couldn't handle. But there is evidence now that Brook's defense might not be as big a liability as originally thought. Larger PG's arent going to drive past him and if they post up we have terrific team defenders to help. Furthermore, Brooks puts alot of pressure offensively on thier PGs with his speed and penetrating ability, causing them to expend extra energy to keep up with him. The other concern was the offense runs poorly without Rafer at the helm. Last night the offense was as smooth or better than it has ever been, with Brooks on the floor. I personally believe this is because the on court synergy works alot better. Let me explain why I believe this. Traditionally Rafer brings up the ball, sets up the offense, ball gets kicked around and usually Tracy or Rafer get an open three point shot. This works great when Rafer hits his shots, but is awful when Rafer is...Rafer. With Brooks on the floor, Aaron brings up the ball, Tracy gets it, sets up the offense and the open looks end up in the hands of Battier or Brooks who are way better shooters than McGrady and Alston. My final thought is that when the shot clock is winding down, and the play hasnt developed, one of two things happen: A Rafer floater, or a McGrady outside contested 3 pointer. I would much rather have the ball in Brook's hands with the clock winding down because he is probably the most clucth player on the team. Just my 2 cents.
Billups traditionally has had problems with tony parker, whose style is comparable to aaron brooks. you need a larger sample size. This is Billups weakness.
I don't see why jameer nelson caan start and play well on a contending team and people are woried about brooks. Brooks should start an trade rafer and hayes for dooling and williams.
Brooks is like Landry in that he gives such a different look compared to the guy ahead of him at his position (Scola and Rafer). That, much like Landry did last season, I can Brooks coming off the bench and catching the opponent flat footed and dropping 8-10 points in just a few minutes. That is a great luxury to have. I don't know if this has been mentioned but last night Brooks went through a spell in the 4th where he looked very out of sync. His jumper wasn't falling and he looked lost handling the ball in the half court set. I remember thinking "pass the ball before you do your Luther impression." He seemed to settle down but for a few minutes I wished Rafer was on the court.
well thank god there's true competition, morey's draft last year was amazing. he's the best gm in the league, let's hope artest takes his game up a notch. and i agree with everything you stated above.
