NBA honors Brooks as rookie of month

By JONATHAN FEIGEN (Houston Chronicle)
Updated: 2007-07-16 23:57

Brooks rookie of month

In a league filled with top-10 picks ! Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Spencer Hawes, Yi Jianlian and Mike Conley ! Rockets guard and 26th overall pick Aaron Brooks was named the rookie of the month for the NBA Summer League after scoring 18 points to lead the Rockets to a 98-93 win over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday. Brooks joined the 14-player all-tournament team after the Rockets went 4-1.

"It went pretty well," Brooks said. "We won four out of five games. I think we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish."

Steve Novak added 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and Andre Emmett was 7-of-8 for 14 points.

Butler sees action

Center Jackie Butler, acquired only days earlier from the Spurs, played both games on the weekend, scoring 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 16 minutes on Sunday.

POSSIBLE STARTING FIVE

Here's what the Rockets' starting lineup could look like this season with the addition of Luis Scola:

F: Luis Scola ! Brings toughness and offensive versatility to the position.

F: Shane Battier ! Team's best defender with shooting range now even more important.

C: Yao Ming ! Needs only to stay healthy; should love having Scola alongside.

G: Tracy McGrady ! High-scoring days could return with more up-tempo style.

G: Rafer Alston ! Could be early offensive trigger with Mike James bringing instant offense off bench.



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