How Rockets' Dillon Brooks fell short in Team Canada's latest defeat

The Houston Rockets' Dillon Brooks is a double-edged sword.

He's polarizing. He can be wildly frustrating. He's also one of the most effortful defenders in the NBA. Few players take as much pride in denying their matchup a scoring opportunity as Brooks.

The other edge of the sword comes on the offensive end. Brooks is prone to bad judgment. If the shot isn't falling, guess what?

He's shooting anyway.

The shot was not falling when Canada faced France in an Olympic quarter-final matchup on Tuesday. Brooks shot anyway, and it was a contributing factor in his home country's 82-73 loss.

Brooks' poor performance costs Canada dearly

In 21 minutes of action, Brooks managed just 2 points. He was 1/9 from the field, and 0/3 from long-range.

It was an ugly performance. Was it the main reason for Canada's upset loss? No. Jamal Murray was just 3/13 from the field. He's supposed to be a key cog in Canada's offense, so his poor performance has to be seen as a larger issue.

Still, Brooks' ball-stopping and shot-chucking were problematic. Look at Andrew Nembhart. He saw 15 minutes of action, and he didn't manage a field goal attempt.

We're not saying Brooks single-handedly froze him out. Still, his tunnel vision didn't help.

Should the Rockets be concerned?

Brooks needs to play his role with Rockets

Sure. We've been concerned for a while.

We won't discredit Brooks entirely. He's been useful in establishing a defensive culture - etc, etc. He's a valuable player on that end of the floor.

When the Rockets' offense breaks down in 2024-25, Brooks must understand that he is not the safety valve. That role is better reserved for a more talented offensive player.

Brooks is responsible for spacing the floor. Sure, he can isolate occasionally, but his self-creation should be sparing. Those reps belong to someone else.

Ideally, they belong to Jalen Green. He is supposed to be Houston's most talented perimeter scorer. If he has a future with this team, he has to be the guy they look to when they can't find a bucket anywhere else - not Dillon Brooks.

If Green falters in 2024-25, the Rockets need to find someone else who can carry that burden. It won't be Brooks. We've seen enough of his NBA career to conclude that he's too prone to inefficiency to be a primary offensive option.

Against France on Tuesday, he proved that point again.