Professional Basketball
Cook played sparingly in his rookie campaign as a backup to superstar center Shaquille O'Neal, and mostly was an interior player, notching only five three-point attempts out of 141 total field goal attempts. As his professional career evolved, however, Cook once again became a player who could play beyond the perimeter, after Shaq moved on to the Miami Heat and Rudy Tomjanovich took over for Phil Jackson as Lakers' head coach. He was mainly used as a three-point specialist; 199 of 422 (or 47.2%) of Cook's field goal attempts were from behind the three-point arc. When Phil Jackson returned to coach the Lakers in 2005-06, Cook shot from the perimeter less often, which has resulted in Cook improving his overall field-goal percentage from .417 in 2004-05 to .520 in 2005-06, and has also resulted in an improvement in his three-point field-goal percentage, from .392 in 2004-05 to .441 in 2005-06. His improved play kept Cook on the court more as his minutes played per game rose from 15.1 in 2004-05 to 19.4 in 2005-06.
On November 20, 2007, he along with teammate Maurice Evans were traded to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Trevor Ariza.
On February 19, 2009, Cook was traded to the Houston Rockets in a 3-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic. In Houston, Cook temporarily joined fellow Illini Alumni Luther Head, prior to his being dealt to the Miami Heat.
On February 19, 2010, Cook was waived by the Rockets.
On July 9, 2010, Cook was signed by the Los Angeles Clippers.
On March 15, 2012 the Clippers sent Cook and a 2015 2nd round pick to the Washington Wizards for Nick Young.
On October 28, 2012, the Wizards waived Cook.
Read more about this topic: Brian Cook
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