Why Dillon Brooks compared playing with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to Houston Rockets
Dillon Brooks, the newest member of the Houston Rockets, had some interesting comparisons to his former team — the Memphis Grizzlies.
Brooks, who is in Las Vegas watching NBA summer league action to support his new teammates, described how his time in Memphis prepared him for his new journey with the Rockets, as reported by Jackson Gatlin.
“I feel like it’s exactly the same team from 3-4 years ago,” Brooks said. “Jalen (Green) is like Ja Morant. Jabari (Smith) is like Jaren (Jackson Jr.). Young guys that can expand their games to be the best in the league.”
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
The similarities Brooks mentions don't seem too far fetched.
More: Dillon Brooks agrees to deal with Rockets, officially ending his Memphis Grizzlies tenure
Green is entering his third season in the NBA and already has accumulated quite the highlight reel filled with exciting dunks. Green even participated in the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest. Though that particular dunk contest was quite forgettable, Green’s bounce was evident.
For Green, it’s all about putting that talent together and leading his team to wins. Since the Rockets started their rebuild after the departure of James Harden in the 2021 season, they’ve finished 15th in the Western Conference twice and 14th this past season, earning them the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft.
As for Jabari Smith, the former No. 3 overall pick from Auburn has made his impact felt on the defensive end. He averaged 7.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, which is good enough for 35th and 29th in the league, respectively.
According to NBA Draft Room, Smith was compared to “a more perimeter-oriented Jaren Jackson Jr.”
It might take some time to get the Rockets to where the Grizzlies are now. But with an improved roster and more veteran leadership after this offseason, maybe Brooks' comments will wind up becoming true.
Reach sports writer Jerry Jiang at JJiang@gannett.com or on Twitter @j_jiang30
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Dillon Brooks compared Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. to Houston Rockets
