Twelve minutes, zero points in Game 1 and four points in six Game 2 minutes.
That’s been the stat line so far for Brooklyn Nets backup forward Jerry Stackhouse in their first round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls.
Reserve Marshon Brooks, who could definitely serve as a viable backup small forward in some capacity with his considerable wingspan even at 6’5″, has played a total of only three minutes despite Stackhouse’s lack of production up to this point.
That being said, Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo has nothing to lose and potentially a great deal to gain if he either splits Stackhouse’s minutes with Brooks or simply gives him his spot in the rotation.
While Brooks likely wouldn’t play major minutes if used as neither he nor Stackhouse averaged more than 5.4 points per game this season, the fact that Brooks was able to post double-digit scoring outputs in 15 games in 2012-2013 while his minutes fluctuated more than gas prices demonstrates the type of scoring ability he truly possesses.
Brooks’s lack of defensive effort has seen him pushed out of Carlesimo’s rotation on numerous occasions, but this a series where defense shouldn’t be the deciding factor for Brooklyn.
Chicago certainly isn’t a team to fear offensively, as they ranked 29th in the NBA in points per game this season at just 93.2. So what’s the harm in running Brooks out there for a few minutes?
There is none.
And with the Bulls being the third stingiest team in the NBA this season, allowing just 92.9 points per contest, the scoring flashes Brooks has provided plenty of times in two seasons could be just what Brooklyn needs to advance.
Let’s be honest, he can’t do much worse than four points in 18 combined minutes.
Michael Ruiz is a Brooklyn Nets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebruiz and “Like” him on Facebook.
