MarShon Brooks deals with the trade talk
New Jersey Nets' MarShon Brooks shoots against Charlotte Bobcats' Cory Higgins during the first quarter. (Jan. 22, 2012) Credit: AP
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Nets swingman MarShon Brooks woke up at about 9 a.m. and headed straight to the Orlando Magic's practice facility inside Amway Center.
There was no time to be concerned about reports involving the Nets and Magic in a potential multiteam trade that would land Dwight Howard in Brooklyn. Brooks could end up in the deal and the Cavaliers might be recruited to make the trade happen, Yahoo! Sports and ESPN.com reported.
"You have to stay out of those things and just come to work," Brooks said after the Nets lost to the Magic, 92-88, in a summer league game. "Try to focus on the game. I understand it's a profession, and I'm a professional. When I'm playing, I don't think about it.
"It's inevitable with social media these days. You can't block it out. People will hit me on Twitter and Facebook. Now I'll go see what's being said about me."
Brooks, who averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds as a rookie last season, missed all 10 shots from the field, finishing with three free throws in 26 minutes against the Magic. Orlando had one of its best defenders, DeAndre Liggins, on Brooks, but it's not the stat line you want when you're in the middle of trade talks.
"I would have liked to make more shots, obviously, but it was good to be out there working again," said Brooks, playing in the summer league for the first time. "The basketball is a little easier, but the guys out there are playing for their jobs and working a lot harder."
Notes & quotes: Notre Dame product Carleton Scott turned in the Nets' best effort with 16 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench. Al Thornton scored 18 and second-round pick Tyshawn Taylor had 17 for Brooklyn, which trailed by 22 before rallying for a late tie at 86.
