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Indiana Pacers player review: Aaron Brooks and his growing limitations

By Hunter Kuffel

Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Brooks (00) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Brooks (00) shoots the ball over New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Brooks filled a role for the Indiana Pacers this season, but didn’t exactly stand out. With Lance Stephenson back in the fold, it’s unlikely that Brooks will be back in Indiana next season.

Aaron Brooks served a role for the Pacers this season that he’s served for five different teams over his career. Brooks’ high energy on offense and 3-point shooting has allowed him to have a long NBA career. Unfortunately for him, the flaws in his game that have prevented him from rising higher than backup status are growing, and his days playing meaningful NBA minutes very well may be shrinking.

I don’t mean to be overly fatalistic. Brooks can still do a lot of things well on offense. He’s a wily ball handler with enough experience to hold down the fort for a few minutes at a time. He’s also an effective 3-point shooter on catch-and-shoots and pull-ups.

Significant Digits

Within six feet of the rim, Brooks had an opponent FG% of 75.4

This is bad. Among similar sized guards who played at least 40 games, only seven guys in the entire league allowed a worse percentage. This statistic is obviously not the benchmark for what makes a good point guard, but it speaks to the biggest problem in Brooks’ game: he’s a liability on switches. Brooks was never a lockdown defender, but he could at least hold his own against other point guards on the perimeter. Once his man got a head of steam, though, or even worse, once he was switched onto a bigger player, Brooks was toast.

39.6 percent on above-the-break 3s

Here’s where Brooks can still contribute to a team. 3-point shooting is always welcome on any NBA roster, especially from other than the corners. Brooks is an effective shooter from long range, and maybe that will help him land a spot on a roster next year, despite his limitations elsewhere.

Aaron Brook’s Season Summed up in One Archer GIF

If you followed the Indiana Pacers, you needed a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Archer? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.

Sweatin’ Bullets

sweatin bullets
sweatin bullets /

Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.

  • Brooks had the second highest average dribbles per touch among anyone in the NBA who played at least 50 games.
  • Aaron Brooks is 6 feet tall.
  • That’s not very tall for an NBA player.
  • Most of them are taller.

One Key Question

Where will Aaron Brooks end up at the start of next season?

The Situation: Brooks will be a free agent this summer, and it’s hard to find a lot of teams that will be looking for a backup point guard and see him as their best option. I would be extremely confused if he’s back on the Pacers next year.

Best-case Scenario: Someone with a dearth of young talent brings Brooks in for a one or two-year deal. He gets a small slice of the new salary cap and stretches his career out a few more years.

Worst-case Scenario: Teams opt for better veterans or young prospects at backup point guard, and Brooks finds himself devoid of suitors.

Prediction: I’m guessing that if Brooks lands on an NBA team next season, it won’t be for long, and he’ll be cut once someone better or more interesting comes along.

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