After a rocky tenure in Memphis, veteran wing Dillon Brooks was given the boot by the Grizzlies, and nobody knew where his path would take him next. But as the NBA fans clowned him all summer long, he actually came out as a winner in free agency by securing a huge, 4 year, $86 million deal with the Rockets.
While we don’t yet have clarity on what Brooks’ role will be with the young and rising Rockets, Brooks is convinced that he’s destined for a breakout season. According to him, playing alongside Fred VanVleet will help unlock his game and take his career to a whole new level.
“When I spoke to Brooks in Las Vegas last week, one thing he noted was the impact the former Raptors point guard would have on his offensive efficiency, an area he’s fully aware he struggled with last season in Memphis,” wrote The Athletic. “VanVleet is one of the game’s premier passers and has elite court vision. There’s a reason Houston’s brass felt it necessary to pay big money to land his services. VanVleet’s gravity and drive-and-kick ability are two much-needed lifts to this team’s floor and ceiling.”
The Rockets were one of the worst teams in the West last season, but it was by design. With a host of unproven young players (including Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun) leading the show, there were practically no expectations for Houston last season.
This time around, things will be different. With VanVleet, Brooks, and head coach Ime Udoka leading the way, the Rockets are going to be competitive, and there will be pressure on the newer players to step up and improve in any way they can.
Is Houston Following The Same Path As The Grizzlies?
The Rockets still have a lot to prove before anyone takes them seriously in the West, but they are in a situation comparable to the Grizzlies of years past. With a solid cast of young players, they are looking to build an identity for their group, and they have the potential to make a lot of noise in the West before too long.
“I feel like it’s almost the exact same team from 3-4 years ago,” Brooks said. “We kind of have the same type of players. Jalen Green is like Ja Morant. Jabari (Smith Jr.) is like Jaren. Young guys that can expand their games to be one of the best of the best in the league.”
Only time will tell how this upcoming season pans out for H-Town, but they clearly have high hopes of taking a step or two up the ladder.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
