Newly signed Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was drafted by Memphis in 2017, and those rebuilding Grizzlies went on to finish 22-60. Over the next few years, though, Memphis gradually improved from cellar dweller to mediocrity, and then from mediocrity into the upper tier of the Western Conference.
That’s a template Brooks would love for his new team — which, coincidentally, just wrapped up its own 22-60 season — to follow. In a summer-league interview, Brooks made an analogy comparing Jalen Green to Ja Morant; Jabari Smith Jr. to Jaren Jackson Jr.; and Brooks, presumably, as himself in both scenarios.
Via Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets:
I feel like it’s almost the exact same team from three, four years ago. They have the same type of players. Jalen Green is like Ja Morant. Jabari (Smith Jr.) is like Jaren Jackson Jr. These are young guys that can expand their games to be one of the best, or the best, in the league.
If Brooks’ analogy proves anything close to accurate, the Rockets should be in a great spot with their rebuild, since they also have several other highly intriguing prospects in their young core such as Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, and Cam Whitmore.
Brooks, of course, will be relied upon for toughness, wing defense, and filling in the gaps as a veteran leader of sorts.
Asked Dillon Brooks how Memphis prepared him for this role in Houston:
"I feel like it's exactly the same team from 3-4 years ago. Jalen is like Ja Morant. Jabari is like Jaren. Young guys that can expand their games to be the best in the league."
📺 https://t.co/7pu3eRG8vz pic.twitter.com/SuVqytfuxF
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 10, 2023
