Tari Eason: NBA’s next Dillon Brooks?
One thing can be certain in the NBA today: Dillon Brooks is the biggest agitator and trash-talker, but is he actually good at defense? The short answer is yes, but his new teammate, Tari Eason, has a long reason. Eason views Brooks as one of the top defenders in the NBA, but not just because of on-ball defense.
(All quotes via Hoop Rumors.)
“He’s one of the best defenders around and I can learn so many things from him,” Eason said. “There are so many other things to defense besides just guarding your man. There are so many things I can get better at in defense. Just being able to be paired with him and his skill, his approach and how he sees things from a defensive standpoint. I’ll be able to pick his brain, learn and become a better defender.”
Brooks was one of two major free-agent signings the Rockets made this offseason, the other being former Toronto Raptors, guard Fred VanVleet. Brooks signed a four-year, $86 million with the Rockets after spending his career with the Grizzlies. VanVleet would also sign a mega deal with the Rockets, topping Brooks’ contract at three-years, $128.5 million.
Eason would gain a lot of attention in his rookie season with the Rockets, poising as a defensive anchor for a young Houston team. Now with the recently-hired Ime Udoka, Eason’s game could take that next great step forward defensively.
“Just be vocal. Be in the right spots, things like that,” Eason said of Udoka’s message. “As far as my defensive approach, they want me to be locked in. We have an older team now so for me to be on the floor, I have to be one of the best defenders on the floor at all times. So just really being homed in on defense, that’s the biggest thing. Being able to knock down a consistent shot and play defense.”
Will Eason become the next great defender in the NBA next season with the Rockets? Let us know in the comments down below.
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