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Checking In on Marshon Brooks

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On a day when many across the globe looked to put their New Year’s resolutions into action, Marshon Brooks received news from the Boston Celtics front office that might make the 3rd year guard rethink his goals for 2014.

Brooks, who had been seeing just 6.8 minutes per game under Celtics head coach Brad Stevens, was sent to the NBA Developmental League on Wednesday January 1st. Having sat 25 of the C’s first 32 games, by coaching decision, this could be the best thing to happen Brooks since he was drafted to the NBA in 2011.hi-res-459781073-marshon-brooks-of-the-boston-celtics-drives-to-the_crop_north

His destination? Try heading 105 miles north to Portland Maine. Quite the change in scenery. Having grown up in Maine I know this to be true. On January 2nd, Brooks made his debut for the Maine Red Claws and scored 27 points in 31 minutes of play.

Now through three games with the Red Claws, Brooks is averaging 29 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists per game. In their last contest, which resulted in a seven point loss to Tulsa, it became clear that Brooks would become a centerpiece for the Celtics D-League affiliate. On 14 of 28 shooting, Brooks poured in 36 points as well as grabbing 6 rebounds, 5 steals and dishing out 5 assists.

Most importantly, this demotion to the D-League gives Brooks the opportunity to see the floor, something that was not happening in Boston. Brooks is a more than capable scorer in the NBA, much like he was at Providence. The difference is that Brad Stevens demands a much greater effort on the defensive end of the floor than former PC head coach, Keno Davis. And it is Brooks’ defense that has been his downfall in the pros.

Stevens has a multitude of options at guard and Brooks has not been a beneficiary of that, thus far anyway.  As reported by Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe, Stevens labeled Brooks’ demotion as an opportunity to work on conditioning. In Holmes’ article, he quotes the former Butler head coach in saying that Brooks will be back with the Celtics soon.

This most recent news just continues the roller coaster ride that is Marshon Brooks in the NBA. After having a fairly successful rookie season with the New Jersey Nets, he hasn’t had much to write home about since. When the Nets relieved Avery Johnson of his duties in 2012, Brooks began seeing far less minutes under P.J. Carlesimo. During his first season in the NBA, Brooks played 29.4 minutes a game. In his second year he received just shy of 13 minutes a game and now most recently with the Celtics, 6.8.

Playing in Maine will be much different for Brooks. In college he played in front of Big East sized crowds, and of course in the NBA at even greater scale. With the Red Claws, he will call the Portland Expo his home. The Expo seats a mere 3,100 fans, slightly larger than Providence’s Alumni Hall. Despite the size of the gym, getting minutes is imperative for him, especially if he wants to continue his career in the NBA.

Looking ahead, if Brooks remains in Maine he will face off against fellow Friar Ricky Ledo on March 14.

Email Craig – craig.belhumeur@friarbasketball.com
Craig on Twitter – @Craig_Belhumeur

 

 

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