Aaron Brooks' Nifty Move

by robrun2 on Apr 20, 2009 10:28 AM PDT

I don't know how many of you noticed this during the game, but it seemed like the main vehicle for Yao Ming to rack up points wasn't from post play or even from traditional assists. It was a slightly more complicated version of a kick-out that, judging from the number of times it was repeated, was intentional.

When Aaron Brooks got the ball at the top of the key, he would easily drive past Steve Blake and force the center to make a decision, be it Przybilla or Oden. Unfortunately (somewhat), both centers love to block shots and a tiny guy like Brooks is like catnip slathered in maple syrup. They fly over to try to make the big momentum-changing stop.

Here's where things get different, though. Brooks goes up with the shot, but it's a wild one directed off the top of the glass, barely glancing the backboard. It comes down on the other side to a now wide-open Yao Ming for the easy basket. It seemed like Yao got about 6-10 points off of this move alone.

It surprises me how often it worked, and it really made me wonder if it was intentional. If so, my respect for Aaron Brooks has been raised considerably. Also, if so, the Blazers should really game plan for such a move, or the SFs need to fly in whenever they see Brooks doing a move like that.

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I saw that as well

I can only remember it once, but the one time I did see it, it definitely looked intentional. Great play and great vision if it was.

"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.

by blazermaniac32 on Apr 20, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

simple concept I learned in HS basketball will stop this

HELP THE HELPER just lke u said the backside player most likely a SF needs to rotate down on Yao

The Blazers will play beautiful basketball.

Brandon will shoot the lights out. Blake will run and LMA will finish strong at the hoop. Bayless will play because we’ll be so far ahead in the 4th quarter, giving all the Jerryd fans something to smile about.

But wait, that’s not all. Rudy will go 5 of 5 from distance. Batum will posterize someone. And Channing will NOT lead the team in points.

qoute from ofred

by Kingzilla on Apr 20, 2009 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

the problem was

that Yao was boxing out the weakside help. Sealing the defender coming from the wing.

Tupcac McDinosaur here to say,
David Stern better get out the way,
The rest of the league better exit the fray.
uh-yea
The Nuggets we rolled so tight!
Burned them so bright
we didn't even need a flash-a-light.
UH-oh yea!
RAWR, we need Mawr!
to the Rockets we declare Wawr!
Leave them in a wake of Gowr!
Their stomachs all be a sinkin!
Yes I know what y'all are thinkin'
I used my street smarts to escape the extinction.

by Tupcac McDinosaur on Apr 20, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Thats when we need our point guards to run under his legs then box him out.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 20, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

haha +1

Sergio FTW!

by Tupcac McDinosaur on Apr 20, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

That's interesting, but your respect for Aaron Brooks should be very high regardless if he meant to bounce it off the backboard or not...

That kid is a great and perhaps special basketball player. He had what I consider the best overall season in Oregon basketball history his junior year. I think that Dennis Dixon, the next year, took note of what Aaron Brooks did in basketball and transferred it to the football field where he proceeded to have one of the best seasons in Oregon football history… until he got injured ;( Brooks is a hard worker and has an extremely high “clutch” factor based on his countless game winning shots he had during his Oregon season (kind of like the play at the end of the first half against the Blazers). I always thought he had a chance to become a superstar PG in the league… and it looks like he may be on his way.

That having been said, Blake has one thing that Brooks doesn’t: experience. Brooks can be flustered and can be turnover prone, but won’t do it if you don’t play defense on him. For Blake to keep this matchup close, he needs to “bring it” on the defensive end… Which is going to be a very tough task… But this needs to be a two sided battle, not a total domination by Brooks.. If it is, we may be looking at a sweep.

Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch

by two buck chuck on Apr 20, 2009 12:14 PM PDT reply actions

Don't you mean his senior season?

Brooks great season came when he was a senior and led Oregon to the elite 8 and was considered a finalist for the Wooden Award.

OHHHHH Brandon! Do it, do it, do it til your satisfied!!!!!! - Wheels

"We ran the football. We could run it all day long, and again that's what we do." -Mike Bellotti, 65 - 38

by EazyRider on Apr 20, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

oh yea that was ridnour that left early wasn't it?

Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch

by two buck chuck on Apr 20, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Brooks and Ridnour didn't play together

I believe we went to Elite 8 with Ridnour/Jackson and lost to Kansas. Ridnour decided to jump into the NBA… bad move, that Oregon team woulda been insane with him the next year.

Few years later Brooks and role players lost to Florida and their nba cast in the elite 8. Porter started the game like 0-6 behind the arc, which hurt since he’d been lighting it up in that tourney.

by Zaig on Apr 20, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions