Rockets/Aaron Brooks relationship is unravelling

Back in August, I wrote that the Kyle Lowry contract could spell the end for Aaron Brooks as a Rocket. On a team that had needs, it didn’t make sense to pay two point guards more than $6 million a year, with Brooks likely to want more than Lowry when it would be time to extend his contract, which expires after this season. He wanted an extension in the summer, the Rockets said “no”, and things have spiraled downward ever since.

At the start of training camp Brooks said he was not happy about being denied a new contract. I don’t have a problem with him publicly saying he’s upset, in fact I don’t blame him for that, but what I have a problem with is that Brooks has allowed his unhappiness to affect his play. You could see it in his body language when the season started, and then he got hurt. Much to his displeasure he has come off the bench ever-since, and on Saturday it appears he finally had enough when after he was taken out of the Rockets game against Memphis he went to the locker room and not the bench.

Brooks is in a contract year, and his numbers are down drastically from last season, and with that, Brooks is seeing his next contract getting smaller, but in all honesty, the money that he’s losing has nothing to do with his numbers, it has to do with his attitude.

I have no problem with players not being happy with their contracts, but the way you handle the unhappiness says a lot about you, and Brooks has handled it poorly, which culminated in him quitting on Saturday night. The problem is, Brooks has nobody to blame for his poor season other than himself. He has simply not played well, and its obvious that his contract is the reason.

Rick Adelman and Brooks have had issues since the point guard returned from a sprained ankle because Brooks wants to start, and get his starters minutes back. Unfortunately Brooks hasn’t been good enough to play 35 minutes a game. It is quite apparent that the Brooks/Rockets relationship has been fractured over the last six months, but up until Saturday night I never got the feeling the Rockets were upset it Brooks. I think they understood his frustration. I don’t think the relationship can be repaired, and I don’t think the Rockets want to repair it.

Darryl Morey now has a reason to jettison Brooks either before the trade deadline or during the summer. Walking out on a team in the fourth quarter of a game that is still in doubt ends any good will a player has publicly. I think the Rockets will try and trade Brooks before the trade deadline this month, but more pressing right now is when will Brooks next suit up. He was suspended for the game Monday night in Denver, the first game of a back-to-back that will conclude in Houston against Minnesota. Brooks should not play against the Wolves.