| Cook Finds System That Fits His Game Authored by Alex Kennedy - November 27, 2007 - 12:59 pm
November 20th started out as another ordinary day for Brian Cook. His fifth season with the Los Angeles Lakers had begun a little over a month ago and he was in Indiana, preparing for a 7:00 game against the Pacers. That’s when everything changed.
“We went to shootaround that day and when I was about to get on the bus to play, they said you gotta go see Phil,” recalled Cook. “When I got there he said, ‘I’ve got good news and bad news.’ And I said just give me the bad news. He said, ‘You got traded, which is also the good news. It’s going to be a great situation for you down there, they play a style you want to play and they play to your strengths.’ It was eye popping, I had no idea.”
The six foot nine reserve forward was traded to the Magic along with Maurice Evans in a deal that sent Trevor Ariza and Orlando’s $2.6 million Disabled Player Exception to Los Angeles. The team received this exception when Tony Battie was lost for the year after undergoing rotator cuff surgery prior to the start of the season. Many people felt that the Lakers robbed the Magic in this deal but Cook, unlike Ariza, fits in with the style of play that Stan Van Gundy has implemented in Orlando.
“They mainly want me to spread the court, set a lot of pick and rolls and pick and pops, which is my game,” said Cook when asked how he was described his role on the team. “I came off the bench for the Lakers and tried to provide a scoring punch so if I can do that here, I feel I can help this team.”
While his initial reaction was shock, he also felt a great deal of relief upon hearing the news of the trade. “I’m just happy to have a fresh start. It’s good to be back in a laid back city. I grew up in Central Illinois and I think I’m going to be able to handle this lifestyle better than the L.A. lifestyle. I love L.A. and the weather was great but it’s all about drama and that doesn’t go on here. They just love basketball and they want the team to win and I respect that.”
The lack of drama isn’t the only positive Cook noticed about Orlando. In fact, it’s almost impossible to miss this six foot eleven monster that is a big part of the Magic’s success this season. Yes, I’m talking about Dwight Howard. “Dwight’s athleticism is crazy, it’s good to play with a dominant big man. He even stole a couple rebounds from me when I was out there,” said Cook with a laugh. “Playing with Dwight is a dream come true because it’ll help me get some open shots and I can spread the floor for him and let him go to work.”
As a Laker, Cook was under the microscope each and every game and received criticism from a lot of fans. While many members of the Magic faithful were sad to see fan favorite Trevor Ariza leave, everyone has been very welcoming to Cook thus far. “It feels good to be wanted,” he said with a smile.
After switching cities and teams, why not get a new number, right? After wearing #43 in Los Angeles, Cook is now donning the #34. “I wore #43 out there (in Los Angeles) but I wore #34 in high school,” Cook explained to reporters who surrounded his locker after his first game as a member of the Magic. “I was out there with Shaq and when he left, I had the balls enough to ask for it but they wouldn’t give it to me because they were gonna retire that,” said a laughing Cook. “Then I went to #7 but then Lamar (Odom) came and I sold him my number for $12,500, so that was a pretty good kicker right there.”
While he has straightened out his number and role with the team, he still hasn’t settled in Orlando yet. As of now, he’s living in a hotel in the city and will be searching for a home with some of his friends from college when the Magic return from their West coast trip in early December. “Some of the guys are trying to rent out their houses but they’re just trying to get some cheese from me,” said Cook with a smile
He has only played sparingly since coming to Orlando, his minutes should increase once he learns the offense and defensive terminology. After playing the triangle under Phil Jackson for the Lakers, he describes Orlando’s offensive schemes as “a world of difference.” In his first game with the team, Cook played only eight minutes but in that time, he was impressive. With 1:37 left in the first quarter, he scored his first points as a member of the Magic, a three pointer from 26 feet out that capped off a nine point run and forced Charlotte to call a timeout. About a minute later, as the quarter came to an end, he had a monstrous block that brought the fans in the Amway Arena out of their seats. If that first impression is any indication, Cook could be a valuable role player for Orlando this season.
Of course anyone associated in any way with the Lakers these days is swarmed by media with questions about the Kobe Bryant trade rumors, so of course it came up with Cook. When asked whether or not the rumors had been a distraction to the team, Cook said, “I think at first it was with the way he talked about the team during the summer but once he started practicing and stuff, it kind of humbled him. I love all those guys, Kob’s a good friend of mine and he started opening up more this year, hanging out with the fellas. I think most of that was the L.A. media hype because after awhile it didn’t affect us.”
As the reporters filed out of the locker room after post game interviews, Cook shook reporter’s hands and politely thanked everyone who welcomed him to Orlando. “It’s good to be here,” he said with a noticeable excitement in his voice. Otis Smith and Stan Van Gundy see something in him and feel he can improve this team. Hopefully he fits in well and can help this team out. I think I speak for most Magic fans when I say it’s good to have you here too, Brian.
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