Suns
Suns forward Dillon Brooks says he’d like to cut down on the technical fouls — at least a little.
Speaking with NBAT2 in comments highlighted by Evan Desai of the Arizona Republic, Brooks joked that one of his goals for next season is “not to get 17 technical fouls,” though he quickly admitted that may be easier said than done.
“At least half of them are earned,” Brooks said. “Some of them are by the same refs. And some of them I don’t need to get. Costs my team some wins.”
Brooks was suspended after picking up his 16th technical last season, but he also believes his fiery approach helps establish Phoenix’s identity.
“It’s the energy that we live by,” Brooks said. “Some of them are called for, to get your point across.”
The Suns embraced Brooks’ edge in his first season with the franchise, improving defensively while returning to the playoffs.
Rockets
The Rockets believe Marcus Smart gives them another veteran capable of impacting games even when he isn’t scoring.
Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Smart’s two-year deal reunites him with coach Ime Udoka, who coached the veteran guard to Defensive Player of the Year honors in Boston.
Houston views Smart as another tough perimeter defender and secondary ballhandler while Fred VanVleet works his way back from a torn ACL.
Shankar also noted that Smart’s arrival creates a crowded backcourt.
Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and rookie Bruce Thornton are all expected to compete for minutes, making Houston’s guard rotation one of the team’s biggest storylines entering training camp.
While Smart isn’t known for outside shooting, the Rockets are betting his leadership, defense and playoff experience outweigh any concerns about spacing.
Nets
The Nets may have completed most of their offseason work, but C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News isn’t convinced they’re done.
Holmes wrote that Brooklyn has improved its overall talent level by adding Julius Randle, Keon Ellis, Moe Wagner and rookie Mikel Brown Jr., but still has roster questions to answer before opening night.
The biggest issue may be a crowded backcourt, where several young guards need developmental minutes while veterans are also competing for playing time.
Holmes also pointed to the departure of Nic Claxton as a potential concern.
“The frontcourt … still has an obvious question,” Holmes wrote.
Without Claxton, Brooklyn lacks a proven rim protector, making another trade or roster move seem like a realistic possibility before the season begins.
As Holmes noted, the Nets appear deeper and more competitive than they were a year ago, but they’re still searching for the right balance.
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