The Most Improved Player Award is an award given by the NBA to the player who improves the most in the regular season each year. The vast majority of these award-winning players have had a relatively brilliant career. However, there are no absolutes in everything. In the history of the NBA, there is such a player, after winning the most improved player award, his career quickly went downhill, until he disappeared. He's the "little black bean" that Rockets fans are familiar with – Aaron Brooks.
Brooks is 1.83 meters tall, which is easily reminiscent of Paul. Looking at the physical measurement data of the two people, it can be seen that Brooks has an arm span of 1.93 meters and a standing height of 2.39 meters. Paul has an arm span of 1.94 meters and a standing height of 2.39 meters. It is reasonable to say that the physical measurement data of the two people is almost the same. So why do we all think Brooks is physically mediocre and Paul is physically good?
1. Strength and tonnage
Paul was physically strong, his core strength was outstanding, and he was not afraid of any physical confrontation. On the 84KG bench press, Paul can do exactly 10 times. You know, Durant as a rookie can't do one. Moreover, when Paul first entered the league, he weighed 79KG, which made him face most players in the same position, and he would not be left behind in physical confrontation.
Brooks can do 6 on the 84KG bench press. At the same time, Brooks' absolute speed is at the top of the NBA players of the same period. The 100-meter sprint takes only 10.25 seconds. Judging from these data alone, Brooks's athletic talent is not bad.
However, Paul is a strong defender, and Brooks can only be regarded as a thin defender. In the muscular NBA, Brooks will be engulfed by a bunch of men if he is not careful.
2. The number of dunks
Paul completed a total of 42 dunks in his career. Even, paul can complete more dunks if he wants to. When he was young, Paul was able to complete the split on Howard's head. Look at Brooks, who has only completed 3 dunks in his career. In this way, Brooks's athletic talent is far inferior to That of Chris Paul.
Second, the Rockets trade went to Alstom, and Brooks came to the fore
In the 08-09 season, the Rockets traded out the team's starting point guard Alstom, and Brooks was given the opportunity to enter the team's starting lineup. That season, Brooks averaged 11.2 points and three assists per game. Brooks is not tall, but his shooting is extremely confident. Brooks is fast, the dribble is gorgeous, and Brooks on the field is dazzling like a butterfly wearing flowers. The emergency stop jump shot after starting the breakthrough is also invincible.
And his disadvantage is his height. His height of 1.83 meters makes it easy for him to be covered by the big players of the opponent after breaking into the inside line. At the same time, Brooks' defense is also one of the focal points of criticism. Despite his excellent foot movement, Brooks was often overwhelmed defensively against the ball carrier's strong thrusts. (Brooks' actual height should be only 1.8 meters.)
Entering the playoffs, the Rockets faced kobe Bryant's Lakers in the second round. Yao Ming suffered an injury in the third game, and the Rockets' life was hanging by a thread. Just when everyone thought the Rockets would be taken away 4:1, Brooks stepped forward. G4, Brooks 34 points; G5, 14 points; G6, 26 points; G 7, 13 points. Brooks has played four consecutive games and is the Rockets' top scorer. In this series with the Lakers, Brooks seems to be the core of the Rockets.
In the 09-10 season, Brooks, who sat firmly in the Rockets' first position, played the best performance of his career. As the team's tactical lows improved, Brooks's average per game rose to 19.6 points and 5.3 assists, and his three-point shooting percentage reached 39.8%.
Third, won the award for the most improved player, but Brooks is difficult to say star
With his performances in the 09-10 season, Brooks managed to win the award for the most improved player. Most of the players who have won this award in recent years have had very outstanding careers.
Alphabet Song, NewCore MVP; Butler, All-Star level player; Dragic, All-Star level player; Paul George, superstar. These players have gradually become the pillars of their respective teams, and they have also become the first-line stars in the league. So why can't Brooks, who also won this award, become a star?
Attack strong and defend weakly
The reason Paul has been on top of the league for so long is because he can play a dominant performance on both offensive and defensive ends. Paul's big fight is his deadliest killer. Meanwhile, Paul's mid-range jumper is also one of his signatures. On the defensive end, Paul has won a total of 7 defensive firsts and 6 steals in his career. These honors alone show how tough Paul is on the defensive end.
Brooks is offensively strong and defensively weak. Offensively strong, relative to his defense, Brooks shot only 41.3 percent from the field in his career. His biggest killer skill is the breakthrough, and when the breakthrough does not work, Brooks's offensive means are only left with shooting. Fortunately, Brooks shot with extreme confidence. In addition, Brooks is an attacking point guard with average organizational skills, which has something to do with his field vision and ability to read games.
Look at Brooks' defensive performance. Brooks averaged just 0.6 steals per game in his career, and because Brooks was thin, his defense was far less tough than Paul's. Organize the defender as the commander of the stadium, the defensive end can not lead the way, then the entire team's defense is like a mess.
After leaving the Rockets, Brooks began his wandering journey
The real reason Brooks left the Rockets was that the Rockets found lowry to perform better on the court than Brooks. At the time, what Lowry really had to do better than Brooks was his defensive and organizational skills. After leaving the Rockets, Brooks worked with multiple teams. But most of them just sign a one-year contract with the team.
In the 17-18 season, Brooks briefly played for the Timberwolves. After being cut, Brooks faded out of the NBA. Although Brooks's career is not exciting, he has left too many memories for Rockets fans with Yao Ming.