MEMPHIS – Under most circumstances, there would be inherent training camp benefits for returning as the Grizzlies’ longest-tenured player on the roster.
Then there’s Dillon Brooks’ situation.
“I played a whole year and then sat out practically all of last year,” Brooks said of a promising rookie season that gave way to a painful second-year stint. “This is the final year of my contract. It’s all taught me to cherish it, really understand the game and be professional. You can’t be taking it for granted.”
Brooks simply can’t afford to.
There’s too work to do to reclaim what’s been lost.