Redrafting the 2017 NBA Draft: Which teams fix their mistakes?
F. Detroit Pistons. Dillon Brooks. 12. player. 64.
Dillon Brooks was the second-leading scorer on the No. 2 seed Grizzlies last season. He’s not always the most efficient scorer, but Brooks’ ability to create off the dribble and hit difficult shots late in the clock was essential to Memphis’ offensive success. Without him, too much creation pressure would have rested squarely on Ja Morant’s skinny shoulders.
The looming improvement of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. should now take some of the pressure off of Brooks, in turn allowing him to boost his efficiency and occupy a more complementary role. He will never leave the heat checks entirely behind, but Brooks should (ideally) be able to refine his shot diet in the coming years.
What makes Brooks truly special, however, is his defense. He is one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, a relentless presence at the point of attack who can fluster some of the league’s top perimeter creators. At 6-foot-7, Brooks is strongly built — a muscular force who fights over screens and makes driving the lane supremely difficult.
The Grizzlies simply are not the contender they were last season without Brooks’ contributions. He’s something of an unsung hero. The shot selection can be frustrating, and he hit some low points in the postseason, but the good often overwhelms the bad with Brooks.