Morrow, Brooks competing in training camp

As is the case seemingly every year, the Nets enter training camp playing through rumors of enormous player movement and future developments. Luckily, the two shooting guards — returning Nets starter Anthony Morrow and rookie MarShon Brooks — are avoiding all the talk and just doing what they do best: compete on the hardwood.

As Ben Couch of NJNets.com writes:

“Anthony and MarShon really have a good battle going on,” Johnson said. “And they’re so different. Anthony is Anthony, and now you’ve got the young kid who is very creative with the ball, can score, can play above the rim, really can get out and run.”

Though Morrow will likely open the season as the starter, Brooks could push him throughout the year. The 6-foot-5 rookie is a supremely talented scorer, with the athleticism and length to develop into a solid defender at the NBA level.

Morrow knows these things – he first met the younger player while serving as counselor for a Georgia Tech camp Brooks attended during high school. The pair stayed in touch afterward, right through Brooks’ being drafted by the Nets, and Morrow praises Brooks’ natural ability and varied offensive game. But Brooks will need to step up his efforts on the other end of the floor if he hopes to earn major minutes.

“We’re asking him to get more involved defensively: get some more steals, take more chances – be a rookie,” Johnson said. “He’s more of a rookie on offense, and too much of a veteran on defense!”