With the NBA’s worst record now clinched, the Houston Rockets (16-53) don’t have a lot to play for in the standings as the 2020-21 regular season winds down. However, with injuries having removed many of the roster’s marquee names, they do have a number of young players who are looking to potentially make their case for a roster spot next year.
One of those is young sharpshooter Armoni Brooks, who was signed to his first NBA contract in early April and connected on 6-of-9 shots from 3-point range (66.7%) during Monday’s loss at Portland. That gives the 6-foot-3 guard 47 made 3-pointers in his first 17 NBA games.
That total of 47 treys in 17 games is the most in league history over that span to start a career, topping future Hall of Famer Stephen Curry (43).
“Confidence is a big thing,” Brooks said postgame. “All of my teammates and everyone on the coaching staff are telling me, ‘Shoot the ball when you get a shot. Be aggressive.’ Having people back you allows me (to have) that self-confidence. That’s big. I’m still adjusting to the speed to get your shots off, and make high-quality shots.”
For the 2020-21 season to date, Brooks is now averaging 9.8 points (38.8% on 3-pointers) in 24.4 minutes, and he’s doing it on very high volume of 7.1 attempts per game from 3-point range.
Congrats @snipabrooks_ ! 🎯 #nbahistory pic.twitter.com/VoJwkfXOza
— Beyond Athlete Management (@beyond_am) May 11, 2021
.@snipabrooks_ shot 6/9 from the 3PT tonight! ⁿⁱᶜᵉ
☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️ ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/NNoZt2mn6D
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 11, 2021
In the coming offseason, Brooks said he wants to work on his defense, strength, and physicality. But even with his currently slender frame, Brooks feels that he is already learning and adapting.
“Being a rookie and being able to come in and get valuable experience early in my playing career is great,” Brooks said from Portland. “Not a lot of guys on two-ways or rookies in general get the ability to play this much time, and learn as they continue to grow. Playing on the court instead of just watching on film is a big jump for me.”
“Just adjusting to the speed of the game, the physicality,” Brooks said. “That’s the part that you can’t really watch on film. You have to get out there and experience firsthand.”
That’s what the University of Houston product is using his chance late in the 2020-21 season to do, and based on his shooting form, it seems likely to earn Brooks further NBA opportunities heading into 2021-22.
