Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... NBA Ex-Duck Brooks looks to revive career with Bulls Comment By K.C. Johnson Chicago Tribune MailTribune.com By K.C. Johnson Chicago Tribune Posted Oct. 4, 2014 at 6:37 PM By K.C. Johnson Chicago Tribune Posted Oct. 4, 2014 at 6:37 PM » Social News CHICAGO — Aaron Brooks didn’t need to review the career-reviving roles backup point guards like C.J. Watson, John Lucas III, Nate Robinson and D.J. Augustin have performed for the Chicago Bulls. All the Seattle native had to do was listen to Robinson — who, uh, likes to talk a little — and Jamal Crawford rave about playing for the organization in their shared pickup games back home. “Who doesn’t know Nate?” Brooks said with a laugh. “He always talked about playing here. He loved it. Jamal also said it’s a good place to play.” So when the Bulls showed interest in late July, the decision became an easy one for Brooks, a former University of Oregon player who was drafted 26th overall by Houston in 2007. The 6-footer, who will turn 30 in January, signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal. “Great coaching, great players, they always seem to get it done,” Brooks said. “Derrick (Rose) is back. It’s an exciting time.” Brooks, who won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2010 with Houston, says this even though Rose indeed has returned and the backcourt also features Jimmy Butler and Kirk Hinrich. But for a guy who opines that Rose is more explosive but he’s as fast baseline to baseline, confidence isn’t an issue. “Kirk’s a great player, a very solid veteran. But I bring a different dynamic and different games are going to call for different stuff,” Brooks said. “If I do my job, work hard and show what I can do, there’s going to be an opportunity there.” Coach Tom Thibodeau certainly sounds open to that possibility, calling Brooks a player he has coveted for a long time. And Thibodeau has consistently stated his desire to close some games with the Hinrich-Augustin look of two point guards from last season, although obviously one would be Rose this year. “I felt Aaron played well in the Houston offense when (Rick) Adelman (coached) there, and I think that’s some of the stuff we can do here with Jo (Noah) and Pau (Gasol) at the elbow,” Thibodeau said. “He’s a terrific pick-and-roll player, too, who will make you pay for any mistakes you make defensively. “If you try and go under (screens) on him or open up your stance the wrong way, he’s going to make you pay for every positional mistake. He can shoot, get it off quick and his speed and quickness are great assets.” Brooks averaged 19.6 points and 5.3 assists in that breakout 2009-10 season, in which he played all 82 games. But a serious ankle injury the following season led to a nomadic career with stops in Phoenix, Sacramento, back to Houston and also Denver with a stint in China during the NBA lockout. Brooks couldn’t return to the NBA then because his team advanced to the Chinese league championship, and he said he “got fat” by eating poorly while there. Now, Brooks is trying to gobble up this revival chance. “This is definitely a talented team and has guys who know how to play,” Brooks said. “I’ve been on a lot of teams that had talent but didn’t know how to play well together. I’ll do whatever they ask.” By K.C. Johnson Chicago Tribune MailTribune.com By K.C. Johnson Chicago Tribune Posted Oct. 4, 2014 at 6:37 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501