With a nine-point Rockets lead and less than two minutes remaining Tuesday, Brooks let the shot clock run down, then faked left and took off right, getting deep into the Nuggets' defense before all the 6-3, 202-pound Billups could do was foul him to prevent the layup.

Instead of being pounded by Billups, Brooks had answered with speed, outscoring Billups 18-8 in a 108-96 Rockets win, and answering at least one night's worth of questions about his ability to step in at the starting point guard spot.

Caught Kings' eye

"I felt he had been in those situations where he was going to go out and play a pretty good game," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "We were just concerned with what they were going to do with Billups against him. But I felt he had an advantage at the other end. I mean, he's got the quickness to break the defense down."

Brooks did seem better prepared for the job as a starter than when he played most of the way against the Sacramento Kings, tonight's opponent at Toyota Center, to end the preseason or when he filled in for Alston for two games last month.

Brooks appeared more patient in looking for his shots and better at running the offense through Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. He was more determined at fighting through screens and more consistent with the defensive game plan.

"The first start (Nov. 14 in San Antonio) was kind of difficult," Brooks said. "I had to learn how to play with those guys again. This time, I was a little more comfortable because I knew what to expect. I knew when to pick my spots. You're going to find your shot out there because (opposing defenses) put so much emphasis on them."

The Kings likely did not need to see the Rockets' latest lineup change to know about Brooks. They had him in for two workouts before the 2007 NBA draft and remained interested since.

He had been a part of the original Ron Artest trade talks during last season, but he had become too much a part of the Rockets' plans when talks resumed after the season, leading eventually to the exchange of Dont? Greene, Bobby Jackson and a first-round draft pick for Artest.

"I heard stuff like that," Brooks said. "I was kind of honored actually. Any kind of trade involving Ron Artest and your name, you have to be honored. I guess it's good people want me. I think they know me and know my game."

It does not take the most in-depth scouting to recognize that Brooks is small and swift. But if teams were tempted to play off him to help against Yao or McGrady, Brooks can answer with 38 percent 3-point shooting (up from 33 percent last year.) Averaging 10.7 points per game, more than double his rookie season average, Brooks is making 43.3 percent of his shots.

The Rockets, however, sought a more sustained effort defensively.

"Aaron did a good job of maintaining contact, getting through the screen," Adelman said. "That's really where he struggled in the past, getting hung up on screens or going under when he shouldn't go under."

Does his size matter?

With Brooks starting again tonight and likely for two to four more games, the Rockets expect more teams to try to exploit his lack of size.

"I think they will try to take advantage of him defensively, either down low or even by setting picks," Adelman said.

The Rockets, however, view Brooks' quickness like teams matching up size against Yao. However big an opposing center might be, Yao is taller.

Adelman said Brooks "is quick enough whoever is guarding him is going to have a problem. ... We have to find ways to get him the ball where he can attack people.

"Like with Tracy. If he does something with the ball and he kicks it to Aaron, that other team is in trouble because Aaron can make the 3 or he can attack it himself. It's a learning process with him, but we've been really happy with the way he has played."

The Rockets were happy enough that with a game on the line, they cleared out and let him go to work.