FA signings for Mavs/Darren Brooks, Keith Langford, Roger Powell, Filb Riviera

[dbrooks1]

The Mavericks have just signed Southern Illinois University point guard Darren Brooks. he is a 2 time conference players or the year, and defensive player of the year. I am now a big mavericks fan. I wonder how many PG's the mavs will keep?

[grndmstr_c]

For summer league, right?

Is it too much to hope for an objective breakdown of the kid's strengths and weaknesses from one who has apparently spent some time watching him, dbrooks1?

In a related note, you really have to appreciate the way the Mavs' stick to their strategy of targeting Player of the Year types who got passed over (presumably) because they lacked strong upside or played in weak conferences. After finding Josh and Marquis I can't fault them for sticking with what works.

[echo]

Originally posted by: grndmstr_c
For summer league, right?

Is it too much to hope for an objective breakdown of the kid's strengths and weaknesses from one who has apparently spent some time watching him, dbrooks1?

In a related note, you really have to appreciate the way the Mavs' stick to their strategy of targeting Player of the Year types who got passed over (presumably) because they lacked strong upside or played in weak conferences. After finding Josh and Marquis I can't fault them for sticking with what works.

I think it's a nice strategy too. Once you get into the 2nd round there isn't a lot of difference between those who are drafted and the best of the rest. By signing players who were successful in college and played 4 years you increase your chances of finding someone who is NBA ready like Daniels. I bet one or two of these guys show something in Summer League and perhaps helps us down the road. If not they cost you nothing.

[dbrooks1]

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 205lbs

Position: PG

Education: Graduated from Southern Illinois University and is currently working towards his masters degree at SIU. Eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft.

Scouting Report
Slasher who scores most of his points within 10 feet of the hoop...Unstoppable when he's "on"...Has improved his perimeter shooting...Tremendous rebounder, especially on the offensive end...Outstanding defender, who uses his long arms and great anticipation to make steals...Team leader. Projects as a true point guard in the NBA who an east coast scout called, "One of the most solid PGs in the country. He simply gets the job done and plays great defense."

2004-05 Season
MVC Player of the Year
MVC Defensive Player of the Year
MVC First-Team All-Conference
MVC All-Defensive Team
MVC All-Tournament Team
National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District
Became first player in league history to win both "Player of the Year" and "Defensive Player of the Year" in back-to-back seasons...For the second year in a row, leads SIU in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals...Broke the SIU single-season steals mark (70 by Marcus Timmons, 1994-95) and did it in 24 games...Has made 25-of-46 (.543) 3-pointers in the last dozen games...MVC Player of the Week (Feb. 28)...Named MVP of the 2004 Las Vegas Invitational...Has scored double figures in 64 of SIU's last 68 games...Tied his own single-game steals record with eight vs. SMS.

2003-04 Season
Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American
MVC Player of the Year
MVC Defensive Player of the Year
MVC First-Team All-Conference
MVC All-Defensive Team
MVC All-Tournament Team
The conference leader in scoring (16.5 ppg)...Also ranked in the top 10 in rebounds (8th), assists (9th) and steals (2nd)...Led the team in all of those categories, the first player in school history to accomplish this feat...Scored double figures in every game, extending his streak to 35-straight games overall...Three-time MVC Player-of-the-Week (Dec. 8, Feb. 2, Feb. 9)...First player in school history to win the award in back-to-back weeks...CBS Player-of-the-Game vs. Alabama...Broke his own single-game, school record with eight steals at Drake.

2002-03 Season
MVC Most Improved Team
MVC All-Defensive Team
His 61 steals were the second-most in a season in school history...Led the team in assists (97) and steals (61)...Second on the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and blocked shots (18)...Had six, 20-point games, including a then career-high 25 at Wichita State...The team's leading scorer in road games (14.7 ppg)...Tied a school record with six steals against Wichita State.

2001-02 Season
Captain of the MVC All-Bench Team
Seventh in the nation in points scored (340) among players who did not start...Came off the bench to score 16 points in the first round NCAA Tournament win over Georgia...The team's fourth-leading scorer (9.4 ppg)...Shot team-best 40.4 percent from 3-point range...Hit a pair of free throws with seconds remaining to seal wins over Saint Louis and Creighton...Led team with 78.6 FT percentage.

2000-01 Season
Redshirted.

High School
Played center and led his team to a 26-8 record and a spot in the state's 3A semifinals as a senior...Averaged 25.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg per game...Selected "Player of the Year" in the Suburban East Conference...Connected on 42 percent of his field goal attempts from 3-point range (52-of-122)...His 775 points scored during the 1999-2000 season was a school record...Finalist for Missouri's "Mr. Show-Me Basketball" award...Nominated for the McDonald's High School All-Star game in Boston...Scored 24 points in the Missouri All-Stars game.

Highlights
Invited to Portsmouth Invitational NBA camp after the season
Has started 94-straight games, the longest streak on the team
Has scored 20+ points 20 times in his career; Has four career double-doubles
QB'd his high school football team and was named Player of the Year in the conference; led the league in passing yards and TD passes; can throw a football 60+ yards
Both Wisconsin and Iowa asked him to walk-on and play QB
Played shortstop and pitcher in high school; Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks tried to persuade him to play pro baseball
Most famous athlete from Jennings H.S. is Joe Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler who played for the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers
Pursuing Master's degree. Undergraduate degree in health education
Born August 28, 1982
Son of Jacqueline (real estate agent) and Thomas Brooks (works for Boeing Corp.)

[dbrooks1]

Updated April 1, 2005

Career Highlights
Became the first player in league history to win both "Player of the Year" and "Defensive Player of the Year" in back-to-back seasons...One of only two players in the illustrious 99-year history of the MVC to have recorded at least 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 400 assists and 250 steals in their careers (the other was Bradley's Hersey Hawkins, 1984-88)...Finished career ranked in the top 10 at SIU in career scoring (5th), rebounding (10th), wins, (1st), assists (3rd), blocks (7th), steals (1st), steals average (1st) and 3-pointers made (6th)...Started 96-straight games to end his career...Scored 20+ points 20 times in his career...Recorded four career double-doubles...Scored double figures in 66 of his last 70 games


Darren is known for his defense. He had been called a shorter and stronger Bruce Bowen type defender. He is the school career leader with 258 steals. He shoots around 36% from 3 in his career. He is very good at playing unselfishly, and is known for taking the ball strong to the basket. He can get you 20+ points, or 10+ rebounds, or 4+ steals. He will be you guys steal of the year. Text

[bobatundi]

How was this guy undrafted? It continues to amaze me how four-year college studs get passed over, but skinny white russians who average 3 pts a game in some second-rate euro league can go in the lottery...i hope he makes the squad, sounds like a winner.

[Pirate]

This guy played at a very low level against suspect competition. He is starting out as 3rd string in the Mavs summer league team. I wouldnt expect too much.

[dbrooks1]

Originally posted by: Pirate
This guy played at a very low level against suspect competition. He is starting out as 3rd string in the Mavs summer league team. I wouldnt expect too much.

I am curious what you mean when you say he played at a low level? He played not very well in the last 4 years, or he played in a low level program?

Suspect Competition? They beat Texas Tech and Georgia to get to the Sweet 16 his freshman year, lead them to a Top 25 during the second half of the season at some point during all four years, while helping his team win 106 total games and 4 Consectutive Missouri Valley Conference Championships. The same MVC who had 3 teams in te NCAA's last year, and 2-3 berths every year during his tenure. Please explain why you feel these things. The Missouri Valley has its only other 2x MVC MVP in the NBA -- Kyle Korver. They are the 7th rated conference in the NCAA. Darren Brooks should make the team if only for his defense with the new roster expansions.

[Pirate]

Suspect competition means that his stats (which are averages) where not compiled against a whole series of great teams. You point out that his team had games against Georgia and TT - while at the same time, a player from Duke for example is playing 20 games (rather than 2) against that caliber of competition. So the player from Duke who averages 20 per game is going to be far better.

You have a 6-3 guy leading his team in rebounding 2 years in a row. There is something screwy with the team, and the competition, when that is possible, cause in any major confernce it isnt ever going to happen. The talent is just too good for someone that size to get that many rebounds in a top conference.

And your Korver reference is exactly what I am saying. Kyle-frikkin-Korver. He is the very best player that ever came out of that conference, you say. Ugh.

There is no roster expansion. And if he is so special, why is he 3rd team on a team full of summer league long shots?

[grndmstr_c]

I'd love to have Kyle Korver on the Mavs.

[dbrooks1]

Originally posted by: Pirate
Suspect competition means that his stats (which are averages) where not compiled against a whole series of great teams. You point out that his team had games against Georgia and TT - while at the same time, a player from Duke for example is playing 20 games (rather than 2) against that caliber of competition. So the player from Duke who averages 20 per game is going to be far better.

You have a 6-3 guy leading his team in rebounding 2 years in a row. There is something screwy with the team, and the competition, when that is possible, cause in any major confernce it isnt ever going to happen. The talent is just too good for someone that size to get that many rebounds in a top conference.

And your Korver reference is exactly what I am saying. Kyle-frikkin-Korver. He is the very best player that ever came out of that conference, you say. Ugh.

There is no roster expansion. And if he is so special, why is he 3rd team on a team full of summer league long shots?

1. Players from current MVC teams include:

Indiana State -- Larry Bird
Bradley -- Hersey Hawkins
Wichita State -- Austin Carr, Xavier McDaniel
SIU -- Walt Frazier, Troy Hudson
Creighton -- Kyle Korver

among others......

I think rosters were expanded to 14 with the new collective bargaining agreement. He is on the lesser of two summer league teams, not three

His rebounding is due to the fact it is a guard heavy league. Darren never got to play with a Joey Graham type player other than during the Sweet 16 season. charles barkley was 6'4" and could rebound anything.

Walt Frazier and Larry Bird did not need to play vs Duke type teams to be great players in the NBA

How many Duke guards average 20? and go on to good NBA careers?

[dbrooks1]

_summer_league_roster.html

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate College Yrs. Pro
Devin Harris G 6-3 185 2/27/83 Wisconsin ‘05 R
Filiberto Rivera G 6-2 175 9/28/82 Texas El-Paso '05 R
Josh Powell F 6-9 225 12/5/83 North Carolina State ‘03 1
Marquis Daniels G 6-6 200 1/7/81 Auburn '03 1
Didier Ilunga-Mbenga C 7-0 220 12/30/80 Congo R
Derek Hood F -- -- -- -- --
Felipe Lopez G 6-7 -- -- St. John's --
Michael Harris F 6-6 240 6/15/83 Rice '05 R
Darius RIce F 6-10 215 10/16/82 Miami ‘05 R
Pavel Podkolzin C 7-5 260 1/15/85 Russia 1

Head Coach: Avery Johnson, Southern

Assistant Coach: Rolando Blackman - Kansas State '81


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mavs Secondary Summer League Roster:

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate College Yrs. Pro
Keith Langford G 6-4 215 9/15/83 Kansas ‘05 R
Dave Logan G 6-1 170 12/26/82 Indianapolis '05 R
Sung-Yoon Bang G 6-5 193 6/3/83 Seoul, Korea R
Roger Powell F 6-6 235 1/15/85 Illinois '05 R
Hector Romero -- -- -- -- -- R
Darren Brooks -- -- -- -- Southern Illinois R
Deji Akindele C 7-1 240 4/2/83 Chicago State '07 R

Head Coach: Paul Mokeski, Kansas ’79

[dbrooks1]

I hope Jerry Rice's nephew does well.

[dirno2000]

I believe Jason Kidd averaged about 6 or 7 rebounds his last year at Cal, so it’s not completely unprecedented for a guard to put up big rebounding numbers in a major conference.