Interview with Jon Brockman

[CruzDude]

INTERVIEW with Jon Brockman, Wed 15 Jul 09

Jon is an absolute delight to talk with, very open, always smiling and the ladies at KingsFans.com will surely be pleased to have him to root for. Mrs. CruzDude just wants to go up and hug him every time she sees him.

Jon Brockman was the Kings 38th pick in the 2009 NBA draft. He played 4 years at the University of Washington and led the Pac-10 in rebounding his last 3 years, only one of three players in the Pac-10 ever to do that: Lew Alcindor and Bill Walton were the other two! To explain his playing style in once sentence: he as had his nose broken 5 times during his UW career. As a freshman was a team mate of the Blazers Brandon Roy. Played with Kings Spencer Hawes during his sophomore year.

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KF: in watching you from last game (12 reb) to this game, what was different?

Jon: Omri was grabbing all the rebounds! (as he looks over at Omri sitting opposite). It was a different game, different guys, different pace. offensively I felt a bit more comfortable but I just didn't get the rebounds I needed to get. I'm a little disappointed about that.

KF: Do you think there was a reason of why or why not (as to your rebounding)? Or what it the other team was just different (in their style of play?)

Jon: Sometimes you just have those games where the ball bounces the other way it's just a different game, something you can't control, it just happens.

KF: What is your comfort level now with what your are doing after 4 games now?

Jon: I'm more comfortable, I feel a little bit better out there. I feel more comfortable with the guys I'm playing with. It's a learning experience and I'm going to continue to get more comfortable as time goes on.

KF: A question KingsFans asked me to ask you is "What's it like or going to be like playing with Spencer?" (Jon laughs!!)

Jon: I've been doing it for awhile now. He's a good guy to play with, he's fun. A great player, makes a lot of people better. It's gonna be fun playing with him again.

KF: Have you done workouts (with Spence) in the years he's been with the Kings, in the summer and such?

Jon: Definitely, in the off season we work out almost every day together at UW (Univ of Washington in Seattle). We've stayed in touch, we talk every day and he's gonna be a fun team mate to have.

KF: I think there is a bit of unhappiness he didn't show up here. I wonder what happened? Do you have any idea?

Jon: I know he had a couple of family things he had to go through with that he couldn't miss. He's also a little banged up. It wasn't worth it for himself to come down and hurting himself any more. He was gonna come down after we played a couple of games but it was just one of those things.

KF: You've only got one more game left here at summer league. What do you think you need to work on now and up to training camp in October?

Jon: Everything!!! (laughs!). Just need to get better in every single area. One thing about basketball is there is always someone out there working to get better so there's no rest.

KF: Having a guy like Tyreke able to get the ball to you would seem like a real pleasure (in summer league)?

Jon: It is. He's a really good guard and can do what ever he wants to do on the court. He's going to be a great player in the league.

KF: I think you have a good shot too. Everyone is happy with what you are doing. So keep it up. Thanks for the interview.

 

[SacTownKid]

Thanks for the interview! Good job Cruzdude.

 

[SacTownGrantFan]

Does John Brockman have much offensive potential?

 

[sdballer]

Does John Brockman have much offensive potential?

No. He doesn't shoot well, lacks speed and athleticism and is a poor free throw shooter. He is what he is. An undersized, physically ungifted workhouse who will hustle and play tough.

 

[CruzDude]

Does John Brockman have much offensive potential?

Jon should be a classic 10/10 guy, reb/pts, in 20 min/gm. His defensive value is being such a monster within 10 ft of the basket and out hustling anyone for rebounds. Most of his points will be put backs and short to mid-range jumpers. He has good form with his jumper. He is a poor FT shooter but that is a correctable problem. He also gets down court on FB's, not leading but not lagging either.

His personality is also a big plus, happy all the time, easy to talk with and just plain fun. Then he gets on the court and does his thing, Bang-Bang Boom-Boom and a bunch of rebounds. Kings never have had that.

 

[Bricklayer]

Jon should be a classic 10/10 guy, reb/pts, in 20 min/gm. His defensive value is being such a monster within 10 ft of the basket and out hustling anyone for rebounds. Most of his points will be put backs and short to mid-range jumpers. He has good form with his jumper. He is a poor FT shooter but that is a correctable problem. He also gets down court on FB's, not leading but not lagging either.

His personality is also a big plus, happy all the time, easy to talk with and just plain fun. Then he gets on the court and does his thing, Bang-Bang Boom-Boom and a bunch of rebounds. Kings never have had that.

Er...Jon is not going to go 10/10 in 20min.

Dwight Howard might have a chance. Maybe Wilt.

 

[VF21]

I think of Mark Madsen when I read about Jon Brockman. And I wouldn't mind having a Mark Madsen type on the Kings. A good solid role player who does what he's needed to do, is always ready whether it's for 2 minutes or 22 minutes, and who knows a team needs role players as much as starters.

Thanks for another great interview, Dude.

 

[VF21]

KF: I think there is a bit of unhappiness he didn't show up here. I wonder what happened? Do you have any idea?

Jon: I know he had a couple of family things he had to go through with that he couldn't miss. He's also a little banged up. It wasn't worth it for himself to come down and hurting himself any more. He was gonna come down after we played a couple of games but it was just one of those things.

Great question and pretty honest-sounding response by Jon.

 

[kingsnation]

Great interview. I really like this kid and I think many will be pleasantly surprised by what he brings to the court when he gets the minutes.

 

[gunks]

I see 4pts/5.5rebs a game in 15 minutes.

I think Brockman is going to bring some solid hussle, probably become a fan favorite.

 

[CruzDude]

Brockman has those Rodman like instincts for rebounding and at 6-7/255 is bigger than Rodman but same height. It really depends on the game Plan Westphal sets for the Kings Kids. Brockman will push Greene big time as Greene is still struggling trying to find out his position, 4 or 3, and is a year away from being a force. Greene is first and foremost a shooter from all over the place. Brockman is a rebound specialist and put-back artist, will fit in quicker and has only one position, PF.

So my feeling is he gets 10/10 with 20min a game as several times he showed he could get 10 reb in 10 min at VSL.

 

[Kings Faithful]

Brockman has those Rodman like instincts for rebounding and at 6-7/255 is bigger than Rodman but same height. It really depends on the game Plan Westphal sets for the Kings Kids. Brockman will push Greene big time as Greene is still struggling trying to find out his position, 4 or 3, and is a year away from being a force. Greene is first and foremost a shooter from all over the place. Brockman is a rebound specialist and put-back artist, will fit in quicker and has only one position, PF.

So my feeling is he gets 10/10 with 20min a game as several times he showed he could get 10 reb in 10 min at VSL.

Whoa there... 10/10 is pretty lofty for a 2nd round pick with little offensive skills... If he averaged that in 20 mpg that would probably make him the 5th-8th best player in this draft and I honestly don't see that as very likely. He can be a Matt Harpring type player except with rebounding skills instead of offensive skills... speaking of Matt Harpring, did anyone else realize that he was a 18 ppg 7 rpg player at one point? I don't know how I missed that but he used to be a straight up balla.

 

[ParniValjak]

Brockman has those Rodman like instincts for rebounding and at 6-7/255 is bigger than Rodman but same height. It really depends on the game Plan Westphal sets for the Kings Kids. Brockman will push Greene big time as Greene is still struggling trying to find out his position, 4 or 3, and is a year away from being a force. Greene is first and foremost a shooter from all over the place. Brockman is a rebound specialist and put-back artist, will fit in quicker and has only one position, PF.

So my feeling is he gets 10/10 with 20min a game as several times he showed he could get 10 reb in 10 min at VSL.

10/10 in 20 minutes is an ELITE talent. Sorry but I cannot see Brockman going down into the history books. He is a good rebounder but c'mon, 10/10 in 20 is just off with the pixies stuff!

If he were to produce those numbers he would be a starting PF on most teams in the NBA.

 

[fnordius]

10/10 in 20 minutes is an ELITE talent. Sorry but I cannot see Brockman going down into the history books. He is a good rebounder but c'mon, 10/10 in 20 is just off with the pixies stuff!

If he were to produce those numbers he would be a starting PF on most teams in the NBA.

If he were to produce those numbers, I'd say that we should play him for 40 and let him get 20/20, because we'd just gotten Karl Malone or Charles Barkley in the 2nd round.

If SL stats translated to regular NBA season stats, Douby would be starting over Kevin, and Anthony Randolph would be a sure thing for NBA MVP this year.

 

[CruzDude]

The 10/10 figure highlights the 10 pts/gm more than the big reb number. Those points will be mostly put backs and FT and a couple of mid range jumpers.

I think you all are taking this a little to literally. He is a 10/10 "TYPE" guy but he wouldn't start for anyone due to his limited offense other than around the basket and out to 12 ft or so. No reason he doesn't get 5 reb a half in limited minutes if he gets 50-60% of the Kings defensive rebounds. Twice in VSL I saw him get 8-10 reb in a quarter!!!!

You guys did not see him fight for every rebound in VSL, many times fighting Casspi. Those two off the bench and they will get 95% of the close in rebs, those not bounding out to the guards. Unfortunately, both are better rebounders than Greene and Casspi is likely better offensively than Greene.

And I fully appreciate that VSL is NOT the NBA, it is a step up from major college. As Casspi said in his interview, his old team Maccabi Tel Aviv, was better than most of the VSL teams. But wait and see.

 

[Chesterpuppie]

I have to tell you, I've watched Jon since he was in elementary school. He has risen to the challange every year, high school, college, now pro, he will do fine, you will start to love this kid.

 

[VF21]

I have to tell you, I've watched Jon since he was in elementary school. He has risen to the challange every year, high school, college, now pro, he will do fine, you will start to love this kid.

Welcome to KingsFans.com and thanks for the input on Jon. We heard similar things from people who knew Kevin Martin back in the day, too.

I like Brockman and I think the fans at Arco are quickly going to like him. And I think he's going to be instrumental in helping Spencer bring his best game.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

I have to tell you, I've watched Jon since he was in elementary school. He has risen to the challange every year, high school, college, now pro, he will do fine, you will start to love this kid.

Welcome and thank you for the insight. I agree to an extent that he will be fine and probably provide the Kings with benefits that do not always appear on the stat sheet both on and off the court. We may regret not rolling the dice on someone with more upside as he was a fairly conservative choice. However, if he influences Spence to stay in town cheaper, provides good chemistry and toughness in games and practice, and makes the team better than this could be a brilliant selection.